2006 Bodegas Medrano-Irazu Tinto Seleccion Rioja
($12) Bright red. Fresh raspberry and strawberry preserve scents display impressive purity and focus. Clean, brisk red berry flavors offer good depth, with light tannins adding structure. A light, fruity and ready-to-drink Rioja that would be delicious served cool.
2004 Bodegas Medrano-Irazu Rioja Crianza
($14) Bright purple. Blackberry and cassis on the nose, with smoky licorice, gingerbread and tobacco undertones. Juicy dark berry flavors are framed by silky tannins, with very good sweetness carrying through the finish. Nicely balanced, pure and quite suave.
2004 Bodegas Medrano-Irazu Ardens Rioja
($40) Inky ruby. Powerful cherry and plum aromas are brightened by mineral and floral qualities. Fresh cherry and dark berry flavors display good nervy snap and are gently supported by dusty tannins. Finishes on a bright note, with racy redcurrant and cherry flavors lingering impressively.
2001 Bodegas Medrano-Irazu Rioja Reserva
($23) Deep red. Earthy cherry and tobacco scents along with hints of leather and loamy underbrush. Sweet, mineral-accented cherry and redcurrant flavors are reminiscent of a Graves, with impressive sweetness building on the expansive, persistent back end. This is really interesting. (P.R. Grisley Co., Salt Lake City, UT)
