One of the most memorable wine experiences I’ve had over the years was a bottle of Remelluri Reserva 1991 with a slowly roasted leg of kid (yes, baby milk fed goat, cabrito asado in Spanish) at Asador Alameda. Now these two are a match made in heaven, I’ve been chasing a similar experience here in Australia but I’m yet to have the same ah-ha moment. The plans for the wood fired oven are well underway, now I just need a good goat supplier. This discovery was back on my first trip to Rioja in 2005, its one of the many reasons I keep going back whenever I get a chance…

This 2004 is a cracker. While very primary at this stage, it has all the signs that this will have a long and full life ahead of it: balance, bucket loads of firm tannins, and spine of acid. The nose shows sour cherry and mulberry fruit, a little mocha coffee, pencil shavings, slight herbs and anise.  It was showing a bit blocky on the first night, but the second was much better: smooth and medium bodied with plenty of minerals on the finish. Putting some of this in the cellar will put a smile on your face in about 10 years. 93+ Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $60 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.remelluri.com