2001 Baron de Chirel Rioja Reserva

Medium deep colour. Fragrant black cherry, dark chocolate, star anise aromas. Beautifully concentrated and polished wine with ample black cherry, redcurrant fruits, fine chocolaty/ graphite tannins and underlying marzipan/ malty oak notes. Finishes firm with liquorice notes. Beautifully balanced wine with lovely sweet fruit concentration and volume. 20 months in bottle after barrel ageing before release.

1986 was the first vintage of this wine (released 1991). 85% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet. 21 months in barrique; smoky and very dense and concentrated on the nose. Rich, firm, savoury. Powerful, savoury, deep deep fruit and structure. Very long and still a long way to go. Dense and rich. Smooth as smooth. Amazing density. (JH)

The 2001 Baron de Chirel Reserva is composed of 80% Tempranillo with the balance an assortment of other varietals selected from the estate’s older vineyards with lower yields. The wine was oak aged for 21 months. The color is a dark ruby/purple and the nose, with coaxing, gives up aromas of earth and oak, but the fruit is muted. On the palate, the wine is firm and somewhat hard in the finish. There is fruit present (it is after all the 2001 vintage) but whether it will ever play a prominent role remains to be seen. Importer: Cornerstone Communications, New York, NY; tel. (212) 605-0371