17 Jun A good Spanish value – Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2017
I have just one complaint regarding the
Spanish wine section at most supermarkets and shops.
It isn’t big enough.
When it comes to production,
Spain is #3 in the world,
behind only France and Italy.
When it comes to bang for the buck,
I’d put Spanish wines up against
any other on the planet.
It’s just too bad we don’t have more
to pick from here in the U.S.
It’s Wine Thursday!, our weekly good-wine-
at-a-good-price-that-you-can-find review,
just in time for the weekend.
Here we’re featuring a
prime example of a high-quality
good-value Spanish red.
First, let’s define two common terms
that you may have noticed
on Spanish wine labels.
Rioja is a wine region in north central Spain.
Most Rioja wine is red.
The predominant red wine grape
in Rioja is Tempranillo.
Crianza is a Spanish wine classification
that tells you, the buyer, that the wine
has been aged for at least two years.
Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2017
is a typical Tempranillo-based Rioja red.
And by typical, we mean typically good.
While it’s full-bodied, it’s also quite smooth and accessible.
On the dry side, this wine is not particularly fragrant.
But it is by no means dull.
There are chocolate/mocha tones that merge successfully
with red and dark fruit flavors such as cherry and plum.
All in all, it’s a nice package, especially for the price.
And while this has already aged over two years,
you could lay it down for at least a couple more.
Like most Rioja reds, this is built to have a long lifespan.
The Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2017 is quite easy to find.
Fred Meyer carries it for $12.99.
The price at Safeway and QFC is $13.99.
Total Wine lists it at $14.97.
There are many online purchase options.
Empire Wine has it for the low price of $11.95
For just a few pennies more,
you’ll find it at Wine Library for $11.99
The price at Buywinesonline is $12.95
And Napa Cabs carries it for $13.99