Palacio de Ibor Gran Reserva 1998 - Virgin Wines

An aged Rioja from Virgin Wines

Drinking older wines is something of a rare treat - aging wines for extended periods at home is something of an investment of space, time and money and individuals bottles of an aged wine are not always easily available.

My rule of thumb is that any wine that costs less in £s than its age in years is automatically good value - consider that it has to be made and stored before the winemaker sees a penny back in income.

This 1998 has all the classic hallmarks of an aged Rioja and is drinking nicely now; it will not benefit from any further aging.

Palacio de Ibor Gran Reserva 1998 (currently reduced to £14.99) old leather books, spice and liquorice, rosehip and dried red fruits; fresh, muscular, very mellow and harmonious. Long and balanced but slightly dried out.

Good.

Drink with roast red meat, especially darker game.