Wine & Spirits magazine published its round up of the year’s best wines from Rioja in the December, 2018 issue. The 2011 Castillo de Viñas Gran Reserva Rioja was rated 93 points and named a “Best Buy”. It was among the top 10 rated wines of the 68 reviewed, and was one of the top 7 Gran Reservas, all rated 93 or higher, but boasting a suggested retail price lower than the rest, with some of the others costing 2 to 5 as much.
The full review follows:
2011 Castillo de Viñas Gran Reserva Rioja (Best Buy)
This is a collaboration between Familia Burgo Viejo, who grow the tempranillo and graciano for this wine, and Jesús Madrazo, the former winemaker at Contino, where he explored the potential of graciano. The blend is bright, spicy and rich, contrasting crunchy black-raspberry flavors with mature notes of figs, dates and fire-roasted tomatoes. The vegetal aspects of tempranillo add complexity, as does the warm, earthy interplay of the alcohol. As substantial and juicy as the tannins may be, they give the wine a classical feel.
Castillo de Viñas (Castle of Vines in English), is all about “Classic Rioja, Rich and Balanced”. It reflects the best of classic Rioja, with its harmony and elegance, and just enough of modern Rioja, with its ample fruit flavors, for wine lovers to enjoy—glass after glass. The secret of the Castillo de Viñas Gran Reserva is the select dose of Graciano grapes blended in with the core of the year’s best Tempranillo fruit to add extra richness and depth to the mid-palate and length to the finish. The result is a wine with edge in quality at an affordable price—and ageworthy to boot.
For more on Castillo de Viñas wines visit the links below.