Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (14% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of red plum, blueberry, toasted coconut, vanilla, nutmeg, dust, bramble berry, cedar plank and dried green herbs.  The palate is dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (+) body and medium (-) tannins.  The flavors have medium intensity and I get the red plum, bramble berry, and blue berry along with the oak derived notes of coconut, vanilla, nutmeg, cedar and herbs.  The finish is a touch tart and fresh but goes on to a decent length.  Aged for 16 months in both American and French oak (which explains the coconut and vanilla notes) it is mainly Tempranillo with 5% Mazuelo.  A really nice bottle for $18 that gets 89 points from me making it a 4 star effort to drink till 2028.   I am pairing it with oxtail stew.  Salut….

I have a long history with Marques de Riscal.  I enjoy the wines and appreciate them for what they are.  This one is nearly black in the glass.  The nose is huge- lots of black berries, blue fruits and a wallop of charcoaled oak.  Violets and spice round it out.  On the palate it shows off black fruits, sassafras, vanilla and an oaky component.  Delicious but a touch of bitterness on the midpalate detracts.  Violets and blueberry really take over on the finish alongside medium tannins.  The bitterness is the only detractor that unbalances this otherwise delicious wine.  89 points and 4 stars for this $15 effort which is solidly produced and made from Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo.  Salut….