Muriel Fincas de la Villas Crianza 2016

The warmth of late spring in Texas has forced its presence onto the scene, one is reminded that serious grilling season is nigh upon us! Whether your home grill favorite is burgers, dogs, ribs or chicken, a delicious Red from the Rioja Region of Spain is an excellent choice to pair with spring and summer fare. If you are not familiar with the nuanced, delicious Reds from Rioja, you are in for a treat. With a Rioja Red categorized as a Crianza, a Reserva or a Gran Reserva, you are certain to receive an aged, elegant bottle of mostly Tempranillo–and with a remarkable value, particularly when compared to Napa Valley Big Reds or even Zinfandels from Sonoma Valley or Paso Robles. This month, our featured Value Wine is the Bodegas Muriel Fincas de la Villa Crianza 2016. The Rioja nomenclature of “Crianza” confirms that the Bodegas Muriel 2016 is aged for a minimum of two years. The Bodegas Muriel Crianza 2016 is a polished and balanced wine, with a flavor profile of dark cherry and dried fruits, with a classic forest floor hint and a satisfying, lengthy finish. It would pair beautifully with a juicy burger with Muenster cheese on top. This lovely Rioja Red was bestowed with an impressive 90 rating by Wine Spectator and at a suggested retail of only $17, it fits right into our definition of a Value Wine! Bargain bin price and 90 WS rating–what are you waiting for, wine sleuths? Cheers!