91 pts Wine Spectator
In A World Of Value 2004 Ondarre Rioja Reserva Is Tops
The cover story of Wine Spectator’s latest issue is “200 Great Values From Around The World.” Inside, the one country that has its own Tasting Report feature is Spain, the global leader in extremely high quality wine at great value. Out of the 675 Spanish wines Spectator reviewed in the Report, one stands out as the top value for outstanding quality: 2004 Bodegas Ondarre Rioja Reserva. 91 points Wine Spectator for this deep garnet Rioja with black cherry, licorice, smoke tobacco and tar notes that is into its maturity but has easily another five years to peak drinking. The greatness of the excellent vintage yields fruit that is perfect for the 3-year ageing of Rioja Reservas. The wine is sinfully delicious right now. What is striking about Spectator’s placing the ’04 Ondarre Rioja Reserva atop its list is that the magazine seems to have particularly rigorous scoring when it comes to Spanish wines. Parker, for instance, scored the ’02 vintage of this wine 92 points. 2004 is universally acclaimed as one of the greatest Rioja vintages, if not the greatest. Which is why, at $18, this is a WS Smart Buy. Which means at our price of $14.99 it’s positively brilliant. This is a red for any wine lover whether your intent is to drink now or cellar. Or better still, both.

Tasting Notes: All of Bodegas Ondarre’s production is solely Reservas. Ageing is in new American- or French-oak casks. The bodega renews its stock of barrels retain a signature character. Tempranillo 75%, Garnacha 10%, Mazuelo 15% Black cherry, licorice, smoke, tobacco and tar notes mingle in this firm, lively red. Maturing now, but shows balance and length. Still fresh, this brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2016.