In wine, there is truth.  Sometimes too much truth, but that depends on how much of it you drink.

The truth is, this wine punches far above its weight for the price (US$10 at Costco in the States, and more in BC, of course).  It has also been aged 18-24 months prior to bottling, and then an additional 18-24 months in bottle prior to release (as per the Reserva label). Quelle deal!

Eguía was established in 1973, but has been owned by Bodegas Muriel since 2010.  Located in the tiny town of Elciego in Rioja Alavesa, their wines have ranked consistently well in Wine Advocate (this one received 92) and Stephen Tanzer’s IWC (the Crianza had a 91).

This wine is medium plus ruby red and has an intense nose of vanilla, strawberry, boysenberry, cracked pepper and soft leather.

The palate is dry with medium acidity and perfectly dusty tannins.  More berry and pepper show with the kid glove and slight anise seed.

WSET Very Good – delicious.

As the bottle was recycled before I could photograph it, this shot is courtesy of Majestic Wine.