What are you tasting tonight?? We opened this 2012 Carlos Serres Rioja Gran Reserva and it paired beautifully with a homemade barbacoa beef and rice dish! This winery has been consistently producing wine in Rioja for over 100 years. It is an 85% Tempranillo dominant blend and is a beautiful representation of the amazing quality and value you can find in Spanish wines.

It has a gorgeous medium ruby color with some rim variation leaning to garnet. The nose presents complex aromas of black cherry, chocolate, dried fruits, with hints of tobacco, coconut, and baking spice. That complexity continues onto the palate with flavors of fig & and black plum with smooth tannins that are complimented by fresh acidity. With an alcohol level of 14.5% it has a medium-plus to full body with a long, enjoyable, dry finish. Even with 11 years of age the wine drinks fresh and vibrant with an alluring complexity of tertiary aromas.

If you love Napa Cabs and haven't tried wines from Rioja you are missing out! You can find exceptional value for your money and the wines typically are medium-plus to full-bodied and aged in oak and bottle longer than some other varieties and often develop a lot of those complex aromas and flavors. This wine is aged 36 months in barrel and another 36 months in bottle before release. If you are a fan of full-bodied red wines, this is a great option as it pairs well with similar dishes like grilled meats while being approachable and giving you a complexity to think about as you enjoy them. The average price currently on Vivino is $35.99.

Cheers!