It pays to have neighbours like these!
Our dear friends and neighbours, John and Jeanette, brought this back from their recent visit to the magnificent Ysios Winery (google it) in Spain just for me to try. Battling pirates, highway robbers, conmen and barmaids, they lost nearly everything but never let go of this bottle. After such an epic journey half way across the world, the least we could do was invite them to dinner, and perhaps offer them a taste.
I have tasted some lovely Riojas over the years and Tempranillo (the grape of this wine) and Garnacha are the two best known red grapes of Spain, and two of my favourites.
I was intrigued by this tasting note from no less than the Beverage Tasting Institute of USA. Who is the BTI I hear you say? and I asked the same question without receiving a meaningful reply. But whoever they are, it would be a shame not to publish this tasting note, which reads:
“Ruby black colour. Aromas of toasty, creamy coconut, berry compote, tomato and peppery spice with a silky dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy, cranberry, whole nut, and dusty earth finish. A nice, old, old school, Old World style Rioja with a great sense of place.”
I can’t match that eloquent review but I will add this from our own tasting:
NOSE of herbs, tar, chocolate and toasty vanillin oak.
PALATE is medium to full bodied, rich and velvet smooth, still vibrant with a good dollop of peppery spice. Tannins are fine and mouth coating, but in support rather than dominating as in youth. It’s a stunning wine that made all of us stop for a moment and take note; a privilege to have a look at a great wine from one of the stand out wineries of Spain.
It looks to be available in Europe and USA at most reasonable prices, but I have not seen any as yet in Australia.
