The Tasting
We started the tasting by trying
two wines from the same
producer. El Circulo Crianza
2006, 13.5 percent ($13) versus
El Circulo Rioja 2010, 13 percent
alcohol ($10). Surprising the
more modern style was lower
in alcohol. The label for the
modern wine was, as you might
expect, aimed at a younger, less
sophisticated audience. The
smell was okay but the taste
was not. Even for $10 it wasn���t
worth it. It was harsh. Not
undrinkable but certainly not
pleasant. The traditional wine
on the other hand smelled a little
bit of strawberry, tannic but not
overwhelmingly, with a slight
vanilla finish. Not a bad wine for
$13. There was an insufficient
amount of acid but nevertheless
is better than a bar wine. It was
made by a winemaker. We did
not taste the alcohol. It would be
a decent quaffing midafternoon
wine with cheese. A good buy
at the price.
HYLAND
