Cameron Hughes Tempranillo Rioja Lot 833

Bottle variation or me? This time around, I found the fruit much more muted. It’s still a good wine, just not as good.

Though I don’t drink Tempranillo particularly often, this is a perfectly delightful wine that may make me rethink my habits. This wine is just beginning to come into its own. The integration of fruit and structure is especially satisfying. The tertiary qualities of cigar box and saddle leather are emerging from fruit that’s still fresh and lush. My standard complaint about reserve Riojas is that the fruit tastes too dusty and dried out — but not here. I think this …