2001 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904

This is an unbelievable buy at Costco if you can still find it. This wine was held back by the producer to age for 10 years and is making its way through stores now. But don’t expect it to last. Robert Parker rated the wine 96 points and it can be scored at Costco for $39.99. I’m going to suck it up and buy 3-4 on my next visit if they are still around.
This wine starts with toasted oak aromas, very Tuscan; you could easily think you are getting into a Super Tuscan or Brunello, not a Spanish Rioja. Then the wine gets a little herbal as it begins to open up in the mouth, leading to dark fruit flavor, heavy blackberry with smoky tobacco and campfire notes on the finish. It’s a super complex wine that develops across multiple layers. A real treat to enjoy over a few hours to taste the changes. Finish is super long and sticky. A real gem, and maybe one of the best values I’ve found at Costco this year.
CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 93 Points
Costco item number: 11321
Purchased at Costco in: Atlanta, GA (Kennesaw)
2016 Pagodes de Cos St Estephe Bordeaux
2015 La Gitana Gold Rioja
2016 Pagodes de Cos St Estephe Bordeaux