El Coto Rioja Crianza

One of the things we most love about the wines of Rioja is their deft use of oak, especially American oak. At first glance, today’s wine seems to go with the more is better approach, although in reality even with a whole lot of oak influence this wine is wonderfully put together.

The Rioja Crianza begins with an inviting aroma of black cherry, lots of oak (in the form of vanilla, cedar, chocolate and more) and baking spice notes. Taking a sip reveals tons of vanilla and oaky spice interlaced with lots of juicy, ripe dark fruit. This is a silky smooth, medium-bodied wine with good acidity. Cocoa and coffee notes come out mid-palate and lead into the long-lasting, dry finish featuring lingering oaky spice notes and dark raisiny fruit. This is really tasty, flavorful stuff with tons of good old American oak!