Bodegas Beronia, Rioja (Spain) 2016

 If you enjoy wines with the softness and round style that barrel and bottle maturation provides, you should definitely consider this Rioja Reserva bottling.  Oak aging is traditional (and required) here, and the Tempranillo grape marries well with the vanilla and spice tones imparted by the barrels.  Bodegas Beronia’s 2016 Rioja Reserva shows the beauty of the oak and wine marriage.  Cherry and raspberry fruit aromas are enhanced by elements of almonds, dried leaves, lilac, cinnamon, vanilla and allspice.  The fruit is beautifully expressed on the palate, with layers of black cherry, raspberry and blackberry underlain by hint of toasted hazelnuts, cocoa, tea, vanilla and spice tones.  Given the extended barrel and bottle age, it’s a superb value.