This past weekend, inspired by record breaking October temperatures, the BBQ made a brief break for freedom from the back of the shed. The only difference from a mid-summer night was not the stillness of the balmy air, but the fact that we were sitting in the dark by 7.30pm!
The late, almost Mediterranean, summer warmth tempted me to reach for a complementary bottle and I chose a Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva 2006 to accompany our (ahem!) blackened fare.
Rioja Reservas are at least three years old when they are released having spent at least one year in cask. So, unsurprisingly, this wine’s colour was beyond the first flush of youth. The ruby colour was just beginning to lose vibrancy and turn to a touch tawny.
The bouquet of the wine was both fruity and a bit spicy. I think I detected some cherry aromas mixed with vanilla and sweet spice – probably from the wine’s time in oak.
Medium bodied with enough acidity and tannin to give structure but not overpower the flavours, I found this wine extremely ‘gluggable’. Not too much glugging though at 13.5%. Again the taste was a balance of fruit and vanillan spice…almost savoury but very pleasant. I almost think I detected a tang of black cherry yoghurt!
The Mothership, with a typical eye for a bargain, very much enjoyed this wine – especially the cost…£5.99 from Aldi. I did too. Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva 2006 is an enjoyable, easy-drinking, wine at an attractive price.
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Aldi stock some very good wines and Baron Amarillo Rioja Reserva 2006 at £5.99 is great.
I have tried a few bottles of this and I have to say it doesnt taste bad. My one complaint though is that it does smell a bit industrial/anti-freeze when you smell the glass before tasting it. I dont know where this smell comes from but you do not find in other rioja’s such as faustino or other known rioja brands. Maybe this is has something to do with the way they are transported or stored for aldi to bottle. Any comments on this good/bad welcome.
Hmmm…I didn’t detect what you describe on the bottle I tasted, but I’ve had similar aromas before so I think I know what you mean. Might be the remnants of the sulphur dioxide regularly used by winemakers to prevent oxidisation.
Most wines smell/taste better if you decant them…don’t need any fancy equipment – a jug is fine… Try that and see if the industrial smell goes
I thought I would give this a go as it was my birthday and don’t drink a lot any more. And why no celebrate with a Rioja from a year which was good to me in lots of ways.
Well I choose the right wine from the right year as it was sublime for a cheap Rioja. The cherry taste is bang on but not over powering. A rich red meat wine, just the ticket for this early spring 2012. I liked it so much….I bought the company! No no only joking I have bought another couple of bottles for the wine seller (under the stairs) one for another good day. And one to watch with my favourite wine movie “A good year”