2008 C.V.N.E. Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva ****(*)

From the moment I pulled the cork and sniffed it, I knew I was dealing with a great wine.

Normally I go Mmmm if the cork chocolatey or cigarboxy, but this one had a lot of complexity. Dark intense fruits, exotic spice, rosemary, earth. Thats just from the cork itself.

The wine itself is very dark and intense, earthy wtih good amounts of spice and leather, with a slight note of vanilla custard. It stays with you.

Mind you , it is not jammy. It had lots of acidity and structure to keep it balanced. This is a very young gran reserva. I havent had this good rioja sinze 1994 Campillo Gran Reserva and Tondonia 2001 Reserva. I think this will surpass the Campillo with age. I think its worth seeking out the 1994.

It went well with the braised leg of lamb bianco (similar recipe as osso buco bianco) with mashed potatoes.