The wines of Roda should need no introduction to wine geeks, they have been one of the leaders of top Rioja in Australia for a couple of years now.  This year Roda Reserva is available in just about every bottle size known to man, from 375ml to 6L.  Excellent.  The 03 reminds me of the 2000 in style, great red fruit with concentration and depth.  I think the oak treatment is spot on, the best I have seen on a young Roda so far.  As usual with young wines, a serious decant is required if you want to have a look at one of these now.

A quick run down on the wine: 85% Tempranillo, 11% Graciano and 4% Garnarcha aged in 50% new french oak for 16 months.  The percentage of Graciano is quite high for this vintage, in theory this should give the wine a bigger acid kick and increased aging capabilities.  There has always been a wiff of burgundy in a bottle of Roda, this year it’s more pronounced.  Not sure if this is the Graciano or not.

The nose opens  up with coffee, earth, strawberries and red cherries and old cut flowers. A spicy aspect builds as the wine fills out with more air, cinnamon, clove and pepper.  The balance and structure are up to Roda’s usual high standards, luxury tannins provide a velvet like texture .  Oak has been a criticism of Roda in the past, they must be listening.  The oak is just perfect, a supporting influence that doesn’t distract from the gorgeous fruit.  Mainly cherry, but a bit of mulberry, anise, pepper and spice with minerals on the persistent finish.  This is Roda in full swing.   Keep you hands off for until 2010 and drink for 10 years.  93 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition RRP: $70 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.roda.es