Bodegas Ysios – Reserva 2008 – Rioja

Red wine with a slightly developed colour, it is almost see through it at the core. Ruby-red with a slightly fading rim. The nose is also indicating it has gotten some evolution. It is not only primary fruit here, but also has some aged aromas. There is clearly some oak, vanilla, a touch of leather, but then again a lot of delicious fruits, more like wild berries, quite a mix of red and dark fruit, plum, then some spicy notes like anise, dill. Quite full palate here. Good level of concentration, still with a presence of tannin. Rather fine grainy tannin in the background, giving a good lift. Rather ripe fruit, and there is a clear presence of oak as well. I feel that this is a style that was quite concentrated in the beginning, but it has a few years now of aging in oak and bottles so it is starting to open up. I would definitely call it drinkable. It has depth, it has good length. Well balanced in a slightly more modern style I would say. Due to that presence of oak, and quite ripe fruit. So good drinkability today, but definitely with a structure to go on for five, ten or more years.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.