Looking for something easy to drink to stand up to a chicken dish that has a big flavor from some of the ingredients, like olives and capers? I came across a 2007 El Coto Rioja Crianza, Special Cuvee. I have had the El Coto Reserve offerings and thought they were great wines and I was eager to try this one. El Coto’s roots date back to 1970 and it took 5 years to get their first bottle to market. In 1997 they became the first Spanish Winery Group to be listed on the stock exchange.
The 2007 El Coto is 100% Tempranillo grapes from three zones having different soil compositions: Limestone Clay Soil (gives wine it’s acidity); Ferrous Clay (adds minerals); and Alluvial (which is about 50% of all the soil and it is full of round stones). The wine is aged for a minimum of 12 months in American Oak and 6 months in the bottle before release. Pouring the wine, I notice a very deep red color. The nose smells clean with ripe fruit. When I tasted this wine it was one dimensional and lacks complexity. Smooth taste with a plum flavors but missing depth essential for one to crave more. That said, it is a decent mid-week red, easy drinking wine, at a good value. There are times you just want a glass of wine and not have to over analyze it, just enjoy an easy taste one one’s palate, this Rioja is one of them. You can probably pick up a bottle for around $12.
Cheers!