On 12 Oct 2003 08:53:58 GMT, "Santiago G.H." wrote:

Rioja, when in a classic style, displays the well known hierarchy:

- No backlabel
- Crianza backlabel
- Reserva backlabel
- Gran Reserva backlabel

while many people thinks that this is a quality grading hierarchy, I
don't think this is the right approach. The hierarchy only says how much
time the wine has spent in oak barrels
snip
I think this were the latest vintage ratings:

-1994 Excellent
-1995 Excellent
-1996 Very Good
-1997 Good
-1998 Very Good
-1999 Good
-2000 Good
-2001 Excellent

Hi Santiago

This system makes a choice very difficult. As you know, to a
non-spanish palate many of these wines appear hugely overoaked. What I
have always found difficult is finding the vintage that has enough
substance to it to match the oak. I would imagine from the above that
I should look for Reserva 94-95-01, but stick to Crianza for the
lesser years.

Similar problems are encountered in Brunello, which is always "gran
reserva", and so generally (depends on producer) not worth drinking
except in great years. Except you have the added problem of there
being so much bad wood in the area...

Cheers

Mike