Tasting Notebook: An Impressive Trio of Older Wines at El Coto

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Tasting Notes from a Visit to Bodegas El Coto de Rioja,  October 6, 2009

Barón de Ley Gran Reserva 1998 ($40)- Soft-spoken, restrained tertiary red-fruit aromas, with saddle and a hint of dark fruit. Notes of cedar and violet. Surprising Old World character for a [Rioja] Baja wine. Finish tapered off a little early.

El Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva 2000 ($41) - Soft and elegant on the nose, red fruit; big on the palate, tight acidity and generous red cherry fruit on the mid-palate. Nice finish.

Barón de Ley Gran Reserva 2001 (New release; around $50) - Lovely, lovely candied violets and dark fruit; round and modern on palate with lip-smacking juciness.

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