El Guardian, Rioja Crianza 2011

Our latest selection in another Spanish rioja. I like trying different varieties from different countries but sometimes you just need to go to your comfort zone, and tempranillo wines are in my wheelhouse. 

I selected this wine not based on any recommendations or inside information. It is simply because I wanted a reasonably priced rioja and I kind of liked the label. 

Wine: El Guardian Rioja Crianza

Location: Spain

Alcohol content: 12.5%

Sugar content: 2g/L

Price: $13.95

Vintages number: 429670

El Guardian rioja is a medium-bodied wine, ruby red in colour with pleasant berry fragrances. The flavours are extremely mild.  You can taste slight strawberry and leather. The wine is balanced and smooth with a nice finish. Because the flavour profile is very neutral, this wine is extremely versatile and could be paired with many different meats and cheeses or enjoyed on its own.  I usually prefer slightly stronger fruit flavours but this wine is pleasant and I would drink it again.

Recommendation: Uncork
Rating:                  7.5 out of 10

Beronia, Rioja, Tempranillo Elaboracion Especial

At long last I am back with another review.  This one is a dry Rioja from Spain.  

Wine: Beronia Rioja Tempranillo Elaboracion Especial

Location: Spain

Sugar content: 6g/L

Price:$15.95

Vintages number: 426981

Is it possible for a full-bodies wine to have lighter delicate flavours? This is a question I am wrestling with. The LCBO describes this wine as full-bodied and smooth. While it is full-bodied for a wine made with Tempranillo grapes, I would describe it as medium-bodied with light fruity flavours. Strawberry, vanilla and mild tannins.  It is balanced and smooth with a clean finish. It is dry, but not like the Plantaze Vranac, despite only a slight difference in sugar content.  While the Vranac was so dry it felt like the moisture was being sucked out of the back of my throat, the Tempranillo is pleasant and refreshing. I definitely recommend drinking this wine on it's own, unlike the Vranac which is best paired with food.  

Fruity, fresh, balanced, clean, I definitely recommend this wine and hope to have it again soon.

Recommendation:  Uncork

Rating:  8.5 out of 10

Borsao Tinto Garnacha

We're going back to the future for this one. I tried to review this wine earlier but got a bad bottle.  Fortunately that wasn't a problem this time around.  

The Borsao Tinto Garnacha is a blend of of Garnacha, Tempranillo and Cabernet-Sauvignon grapes grown in the Campo de Borja area of Spain. 

Wine:  Borsao Tinto Garnacha

Location: Spain

Sugar content:  6 g/L

Price: $11.95

Vintages number: 386961

This wine is a deep red colour with floral and spice aromas. It tastes of fresh cherry and raspberry with slight vanilla and spice. It is a medium-bodied wine, smooth with a pleasant finish.

This wine has the fruit flavours I enjoy and is good enough to become a regular. I can't decide if I like this wine better than the Radio Boka so I guess I will have to try both of them again and see if I can decide. 

Bottom line:  I like the Borsao a lot and I will gladly drink it again. 

Recommendation: Uncork

Rating:  8.5 out of 10

Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2012

Wine:  Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2012
Location:  Campo de Borja, Spain
Grape: Grenache
Sugar Content: 7 g/L
Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $19.95 at LCBO/Vintages
Vintages Number:  273748

I was really looking forward to trying this wine. All of the reviews I had seen were good and I have a soft spot for Spanish wines.

After letting the wine breathe for 15 minutes I poured a glass and smelled what I thought was the faint smell of rubbing alcohol.  I then tried the wine and I noted a sour/bitter taste.  I googled rubbing alcohol and wine and found out that my bottle of wine may have experienced a microbial taint.  I visited the website WineFolly.com and read that certain microbes can spoil the wine.

Apparently this happens sometimes and the wine probably won't hurt you but the taste is unpleasant. Reputable wine retailers should be willing to take the bottle back as they can write it off.

As a result of this experience I am going to give Borsao the benefit of the doubt and not rate their wine. If I try it again sometime and experience the same thing then I will recommend keeping the bottle corked.

These things will sometimes happen.  For a simple explanation of problems please visit the Wine Folly website.

Recommendation:  No recommendation


Rating:                   No rating


Vintages Tasting Note
The terrific 2012 Tres Picos is one of the finest inexpensive, Grenache-based wines made in the world. This full-bodied beauty boasts a deep ruby colour as well as loads of strawberry and black cherry fruit, hints of lavender and crushed rocks, sweet tannin, and a broad, savory mouthfeel. It, too, should be consumed over the next 3-4 years. Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Nov. 2013).