Viña Ijalba Rioja Tinto Livor

2011 Rioja Grand Tasting: 197 wines from 63 producers (Westin St. Francis, 32nd Imperial Floor, San Francisco, California) : Reduction, tart red fruit, red currant nose; ripe currant, berry, charcoal palate; medium finish

Translucent ruby. Nose of black raspberry and a little pine. Pretty much all pure simple red fruit on the juicy palate. No finish to speak of. Good note by Que A before me - agree with him/her, but (s)he's a little harsh on the grade this is simple, but utterly gulpable juice. Had it with fajitas.

A 100% tempranillo red with primary aromas of strawberry and light red berries on the nose. Low tannins, medium acidity and no oak. Minimal complexity here for an atypical rioja made in a very modern international style as evinced by the company websites pictures of its gleaming bodega and single varietal approach. This is an easy drinking unremarkable wine with limited structure that is not obviousuly enhanced by its organic status or its Rioja Alta origins.