Bodegas Bhilar Rioja Bhilar Tinto

774 days lapse. SCENT: cinematic; striking attraction to smell; of broiled red clay, obscure raspberry preparations involving salt, spice, leather, cacao, and citrus peel; letterpress studio; arborvitae. Distant and fond Rioja-linked memories triggered, I immerse in the smell for >15 minutes before taking my first drink. TEXTURE: direct tannins with purpose; dry roasted sour earth; weightlessly sweet harmonic of raspberries exhausted of their briar; kinetic twisting releases bitter sap perfume; of black berries, marine leather, and bedrock. SUM: square, classic …

Inky to look at. Pinpoint example of Rioja's genetic claim on international style. Impacted blackberry and cassis tightly organized with ripe, penetrating tannins. An appetizing breath of mint finishes it, insisting on thoughts of food. Bakers chocolate. Shrunken black cherries. Roasted earth. My enthusiasm for this won't find expression in the score. I'd use this wine as a marker of trust on any list or department shelf. TIME: last 5 oz. left resealed 48 hours tabletop. Terrific. Cleansing rusticity. Thorough …