Aldi Specially Selected Rioja Gran Reserva 2019 Review

Aldi Specially Selected Rioja Gran Reserva 2019 Review

Rioja Continues To Win Me Over

Tonight’s wine was the Aldi Specially Selected Rioja Gran Reserva 2019, paired with minted lamb shanks, buttery mash, peas, tenderstem broccoli and cabbage finished with minted butter.

I’ve got to be honest, coming into this bottle I was probably guilty of setting the bar too high. Last week I opened Viña Tondonia and recently I’ve enjoyed Viña Alberdi and Marqués de Riscal, so perhaps this bottle had an impossible task from the outset.

First Impressions

On the nose, everything was there but in a quieter form. I picked up muted cinnamon and restrained American oak. There was definitely Rioja character, just without that immediate punch or depth that some of the better examples bring.

In the glass, my overriding thought was simply that it tasted like Rioja. That’s not a criticism either. The familiar flavours were present, but compared to bottles like Viña Majestica there wasn’t quite the same boldness or length. It lacked that extra layer that keeps you thinking about the wine long after you’ve swallowed.

Having said that, I still thought it was a step above Campo Viejo.

The Wine Changed With Food

This is where the bottle really came into its own.

As soon as the lamb shanks arrived, a lovely vanilla note emerged that I hadn’t noticed beforehand. The richness of the meat and the buttery vegetables seemed to soften everything and bring out the sweeter side of the oak.

Nothing clashed. The wine just quietly got on with its job and complemented the meal perfectly.

Sometimes that’s all you want from a bottle.

Rioja Delivers Incredible Value

One thing that struck me while drinking this was just how much Rioja has become one of my favourite styles.

Even at £6 to £10, the quality can be astonishing compared with many other regions. Of course, wines like Tignanello and Lafite sit on another level and ultimately I probably still prefer those styles, but Rioja keeps pulling me back because the value is simply ridiculous.

There aren’t many places where you can find coconut, vanilla, spice, savoury notes and genuine length without spending a fortune.

Perhaps that’s why I find myself reaching for Rioja more and more.

Final Thoughts

Was this bottle as exciting as Viña Tondonia? No.

Did it reach the heights of Viña Alberdi or Viña Majestica? Not quite.

But with a plate of lamb shanks in front of me, it did exactly what was required. It provided all those familiar Rioja flavours and delivered an enjoyable evening.

And really, that’s what wine is supposed to do.

Score: 88/100

Would I buy again? Yes, especially with food.

Pairing: Minted lamb shanks with buttery vegetables and mash.