EL COTO “Coto de Imaz” Reserva 2015

(Rioja, Spain) $23

Some “Old World” wines have what I think of as a “sense of corruption”—a wonderful primordial earthiness evocative of damp forests, old leather, pipe tobacco, coffee, worn leather, and braised meats. These aromas and flavors comingle in the most enticing way in El Coto’s reserva, made entirely from tempranillo. This wine is simply to die for with roast lamb or pork. El Coto means “the Preserve,” and featured on the wine’s label is the Monastery of Imaz (located on the estate) whose monks cultivated the vineyards in the area in the 16th century. (14.5% abv)

92 points KM

Available at Wine Anthology