All tastings reported in the Buying Guide are performed blind. Typically, products are tasted in peer-group flights of from 5-8 samples. Reviewers may know general information about a flight to provide context—vintage, variety or appellation—but never the producer or retail price of any given selection. When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted.
*Products deemed unacceptable (receving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed.
98-100
Classic
The Pinnacle of quality
94-97
Superb
A great achievement
90-93
Excellent
Highly recommended
87-89
Very Good
Often good value; well recommended
83-86
Good
Suitable for everyday consumption, often good value
80-82
Acceptable
Can be employed
Top Rated
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Due to the diverse range of microclimates, soils and maturation techniques, there are vast stylistic differences among the wines of Northern Spain. The wines of Spain’s leading red wine region, Rioja DOCa, are constructed predominantly from Tempranillo with smaller percentages of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano to fill out the blend. Classical Rioja yields muted red fruit flavors with accents of vanilla and dried dill due to the time spent in American oak. Southwest of Rioja in the Castilla y León autonomía lies the Ribera del Duero DO, a region characterized by its continental climate and vast diurnal swings. Producing wines that are darker and often more intense than Rioja, Ribera del Duero’s blends must contain a minimum 75% of Tinto Fino (the local clone of Tempranillo) with Garnacha and often a touch of international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot…
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