Cosecha is the Spanish term for vintage or “year of” and the 1985 Corral Gran Reserva Rioja from Bodegas Corral in Rioja Alta, Spain scored 18 Dionysian points on its scale of 20. With 12.5% alcohol and costing under $15 on release, the 31 year old wine was at peak!
The Rioja, made with mostly Tempranillo grapes, had cherry, spice and tobacco on its nose. It was very smooth, and had a balanced long aftertaste with good acids, and was therefore a top quality food-wine!
This 1985 Rioja was at perfect peak. I’ve found that a wine holds at peak for half the number of years that it took to get there. This ’85 will drink well for another 6 to 10 years before declining.
Backed Macaroni made with Spanish Manchego Cheese and a light salad. Delightful on a cool spring evening.
The meal was kept simple so that the old Rioja Gran Reserva could be the feature of the evening. It was. In vino veritas.
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