Remelluri, Rioja Reserva (Spain) 2011

 Remelluri is an historic site founded by monks in the 1400s.  The Rodriguez family acquired vineyards on the property in 1967 and created the winery Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri.  Telmo Rodriguez, son of the founders, has made a name for himself by producing wines from native grape varieties in undiscovered as well as known regions.  He took over the family winery in 2009 and beginning in 2010, their wines are made exclusively from estate-grown grapes.  The 2011 vintage in Rioja was considered a great one, and with eight years in bottle, this wine is a dream.  Its initial ripe plum and berry fruit and powerful, rich tannins have, over the years, transformed into a harmonious beauty with notes of cedar and wood spices.  It is vibrant and polished and a bargain. Enjoy it, as I did, with suckling pig or with a grilled steak.