2006 Rosenblum Syrah (Lodi) Abba Vineyard

This bottle of blackstrap Syrah was a bargain, discounted from a retail of about $25 to a great price of $11 at the local World Market here in Santa Fe. Since I have not tried many Lodi Syrahs, this was a good chance to experiment on a dime. I was a little concerned about the alcohol level, typical of Rosenblum's love for big wines, but it went nicely with a gnocchi arrabiata-spinach sauce last night. It had good balance, no whiff or back-burn of alcohol. It looks like a Petite Sirah, smells like saddles, cloves, and cigar box, then the dark cherry core emerges a bit in the middle and end. Nice vanillin after-taste, without overwhelming the palate with oak, and the fruity-leather carries through. We really liked this. For us, an 88/100.

Bottom line: If you can find it on discount, well worth a price under $16. Not sure I'd pay retail, but I might!

2005 Marques de Caceres Rioja (Crianza)

This baby Caceres, the budget-line Crianza, was found at Trader Joe's for about $14 and it's a solid, polished, and well-balanced Rioja for the money. It displays everything a red-wine drinker would like: tobacco, dark fruits, some light oak, but also offers the versatility for food-pairing of some heavier whites because of the lack of tannins and its fresh acidity. Between pizza and a stuffed flounder, no problems, just tasty with no 'metallic(a)' effect after the fish. No wonder Rioja is one of my favorites wine-producing regions: there's something tasty for every price point and every style (austere to modern) preference. The "crianza" means it spends the least time in oak compared to Reserva and Gran Reserva Riojas. Salud!
88/100
Bottom line: A Crianza Rioja remains balanced, priced right, and versatile with food.