TN: Urbina (Rioja) Reserva Especial 2006

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

I can't remember when I acquired these, and they have been sitting comfortably at the back of the cellar for a while. Decanted a couple of hours before service, and the decanter placed back into the cellar.

Purple colour with ruby tinges. A good whiff of VA initially, and alcohol heat (14%). An intense nose of stewed plums, red berries, vanilla, tobacco and leather. The palate is soft and full, with moderate acid and integrated tannins still showing grip. There's more black plums, liquorice, dried herbs, coffee grounds, prunes and tar. The wines is not quite full-bodied, and finishes reasonably long.

At 19 years of age, probably unlikely to improve (although I don't have a lot of experience with Rioja) but unlikekly to fall over soon. Full of interest and a fair amount of complexity.

Cheers
Allan

Urbina.jpg

[Ian S]

Sounds good. I recall trying some, a while back, and finding the style somewhat austere (not necessarily a bad thing, but they felt like they needed age more than most in the region). This definitely sounds like age helped a lot, and I doubt there's any rush needed to drink up.

[WAwineguy]

Looks so dark it is almost black! I love these dark brooding Spanish wines, many of which are priced reasonably compared to their French cousins. But don't expect to be able to drive home!