2017 Vina Pomal Rioja Reserva

Just on the heels of tasting and reviewing this delicious 2017 Ribera del Duero we found at Costco for $12.99, we came across this very similar Rioja and had to give it a try.

This Rioja is also a 2017 vintage and at Costco for $12.99. It was fun to taste them in close vicinity, but it'd be even more fun to taste them side by side. In the end, while we love both areas, we'd probably give the Ribera a slight edge.

But both of these wines are 90 points in our book, and for the money are almost impossible to beat.

This Rioja is a medium ruby in glass with earthy red fruit on the nose; flavors of black cherry, plum, mocha notes; tighter tannins, more acidity, nice touch of oak in the end. Made with organic grapes too.

This wine tasted a little more youthful than the recently reviewed Ribera del Duero from the same vintage. But again, put either one up against 98% of other $13 bottles, and these would blow them away.