2000 Cune Vina Real Rioja Crianza

[dananne]

Don't really know quite what to say about this one. Opened it right out of the cellar and poured a glass, then the rest into the decanter. First glass sampled straight-away, and it was not good. Kinda rubbery on the nose (maybe a burnt rubber?), and the fruit was disjointed. Very foxy and alcohol present to the point of "ugh." 12.5% according to the bottle, but tasted like a bad zin or something. Let it sit in the decanter for an hour and warm to closer to room temp, then tried it again with a hearty "Into the breach!"

It was far better. More black cherry and cranberry than the usual Rioja strawberry, light tannins, decent finish (though a bit shorter than I would have liked). It was $10 locally. It was not bad after time in the decanter, but I probably won't buy it again. Too many better $10 Riojas out there.