TN: a modern Rioja!

[JonoB]

2006 Finca Allende; Rioja Crianza, Miguel Angel de Gregorio
vanilla, red and black plums, silky smooth, some earth and graphite. There is some minerality and elegance fighting to break out, a bit of spritz and freshness. Boot polish and leather, quite spicy. Very modern, not unpleasant and the intrinsic quality is there. Tannic finish that leaves me wandering what this could have been already and how it may be in the future. Black plum, cassis, there is poise and concentration, and this isn't heavily Oaked. It is just that the oak used is clearly heavily toasted. Pleasant and easy but there is enough that in different hands it could be spectacular. I dread to think what the top cuvées taste like!! The finish is amazingly long but filled with cassis, pencil shavings, and vanilla 63++??/100  

Jono Beagle's hundred point scoring system.
0-29/100 not worth bothering with
30-49/100 good wine but I wouldn't buy a case
50-59/100 very good showing grape and terroir character
60-69/100 excellent example of a wine from this country/region/grape
70-85/100 one of the very best wines that the region has to offer.
86-100/100 one of the very best wines you are ever likely to drink