1998 Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza

[dananne]

I like this winery, so I thought I'd try their "entry-level" crianza. Bright ruby color, strawberry vanilla nose. Flavors of same, with some black cherry thrown in for good measure. Medium-weight for a crianza -- it seems a bit more extracted than one would usually find in a less expensive crianza. Clean finish, with good acidity that would make it food-friendly (I paired it with last night's episode of 24 as an after-dinner wine). Some drying tannins present, which temper some of the exuberant fruit, bringing it all together nicely. Alc. 13%. Paid $13 for it at the Whole Foods grocery store. Well worth the money as a nice P/Q wine. I'll buy more.

[Thomas]

A fine producer, Lan.

[dananne]

This Crianza may be fading. If the bottle I had last night was any indication, a good deal of the fruit has receeded behind the oak at this point. I think I'll try and finish my last '98 soon and move to the more recent vintages.

[Thomas]

Six years on a crianza--not much life left in it anyway; finish them up!

[dananne]

Yeah, I know. I'm way behind.

[jv38]

I like this wine but compare to other Spaniards, this one taste very "California". (Good California...)