2001 Conde de Valdemar Reserva Rioja

85% Tempranillo & 15% Mazuelo, only $12 and rated 90 points by WS.
Decanted for 1 hour, this wine paired wonderfully with grilled sirloin & all the trimmings.
I'll pass along Wine Spectators notes; I'm in full agreement with them.
But...here's the thing, this wine is very muted & laid back, especially as compared to yesterday's 90 pt. gem- The Lodge Hill Shiraz. This is not a wine I'd likely drink on it's own, but it is sensational paired with food.
The only thing I'd add to the WS notes is as this wine aired I enjoyed tasty hints of cherry-cola

Wine Spectator - Rioja Conde de Valdemar Reserva 2001 - Jun 30, 2006 - 90 points Wine Spectator-Conde de Valdemar Rioja Reserva 2001 - Jun 30, 2006-90 points
Harmonious and well-balanced, this red delivers black cherry, cola and tobacco flavors with well-integrated tannins and a spicy finish. Not showy, but shows typicity and breed.