Baron De Ley Grand Reserva 2001, Rioja, Spain

Having previousley reviewed two of Baron De Ley wines on my blog, their Grand Reserva 1998 and Reserva 2005, I was happy to see Baron De Ley Grand Reserva 2001 at the SAQ in Gatineau, Québec. I am always surprised how many people from all over the world (Asia, Australia, Africa, Northern and Eastern Europe, North and South America) are searching the web for reviews of Baron De Ley wines and landing on my site. Baron De Ley must have a large production and even better distribution network.

Now, how about this Baron De Ley Grand Reserva 2001?  Right off the bat, pulling the cork releases a bounty of aromas. As the wines begins to breath a bit, it evolves into an aromatic wine indeed,with aromas of cherry, dark plum, Asian spices, tobacco, smoke, church wood and light barnyard notes. The mouthfeel is so smooth, and well balanced by fresh acidity, silky tannins and long spicy mid palate. The finish is long with complex flavours wrapped up in a thin layer of tannins. This wine has been aged for 24 months in American and French oak casks and for a further 36 months in bottles before release, alcohol comes in at 13.5%.  I love Grand Reserva when its beautifully done like this one, a great way to experience a mature and elegant wine without breaking the bank. Strongly recommended.

This wine was purchase on October 23, 2011at the SAQ at $28.25.

Baron De Ley Gran Reserva 1998, Rioja, Spain

This wine is more than a decade old and has developed a great deal of elegance and finesse. It is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 24 months in French and American oak followed by 5 years in bottle before being released. The wine colour is darker than I expected, very generous aromas of ripe fruit, plums, raisin, sweet spices and vanilla oak. The mouthfeel is lively and fresh with silky smooth tannins. This wine finish is smooth and very enjoyable. Great wine here at a fantastic value, strongly recommended.

This wine was purchased on July 5th, 2011 at the SAQ for $28.55

Baron De Ley Reserva 2005, Rioja, Spain

It was with great anticipation that I opened this bottle. First I still remember, how beautiful Baron De Ley Grand Reserva 2001 was last December 2010, then to compare this wine from another Tempranillo wine in the last LCBO New Release, Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2008. First how about this Baron De Ley Reserva 2005? Just by smelling this wine, I got excited. With complex aromas of cherry, black currant, dried figs, leather and tobacco leaf. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, fruity with good acidity and dusty tannins. The finish is smoky and smooth with ripe tannins. Now comparing Baron De Ley 2005 and Zuccardi Q 2008, both Tempranillo grape, both aged in American oak, same price but the difference is country of origin and vintage year 2005 vs 2008. Well it makes a difference in this case having a wine which is three years more mature. The Rioja flavours are better integrated and you get a smoother, more elegant wine for it. The Zuccardi Tempranillo is younger, the structure is a little tight and needs to shed some of its oak. In conclusion Baron De Ley 2005 has cellared the wine for you, this wine is more elegant, ready to enjoy and a much better value.

This wine was purchased on June 25, 2011 LCBO New Release at $19.95.