Friday my villlage tasting group met, theme was Iberian wines. Served blind:
1995 Muga 'Prado Enea' Rioja Gran Riserva No guesses a it was my wine. Medium bodied, resolved tannins, no hurry but I don't think this is destined for the ages. Red fruit accented witth a a lottle vanilla and cigarbox, good acidity, nice balance. B+/ A-Next wine showed well also, red fruit with a little spice and hint of oak. Guessed Rioja, was right, the 1997 Finca Valpiedra Rioja Reserva. B/B+
Next wine is obviously younger, ripe kirsch and black plum fruit, some oak and tannins need to integrate, I guess Priorat, I'm in wrong country, its the 2004 Meandro Quinta do Vale Meao (Douro). B
Next wine reminds me of the Douro (well, really more of Languedoc or Chateauneuf), kirsch and blackberries under a wall of oak. Many liked a lit, definitely not my style. I didn't actually guess, which is a good thing, as it was from a DO I had never heard of, Montsant. 2003 Solpost. A B-/C+ from me, but quality is good, and quercophilic fruitbomb lovers should seek this out.
Last wine was more subdued, maybe a little tired. Medium-bodied, lighter red fruit, some cedar meets vanilla oak notes. Mature Rioja is consensus around table, we're right, it's the 1995 Marques de Murrieta "Ygay" Rioja Reserva. B/B+
Fun night with the guys, I like tastings where I can walk home.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency