A lighter touch from Rioja, we review the Bodegas Beronia Crianza.
96% Tempranillo, 3% Garnacha and 1% Mazuelo from Rioja, Spain. The wine spends 12 months in mixed oak barrels of American staves and French tops and another 3 months in bottle before release. It has just 1.7 g/L of residual sugar.
Sample submitted for review. The Beronia Crianza is available for as low as $12. It is imported by Gonzalez Byass. It is also available in a 375ml bottle.
From the bottle:
Born among friends to be shared among friends.
Aged for a minimum of 12 months in our signature oak barrels.
A smooth and rounded wine with delicious wild berry fruit characters, enhanced by subtle vanilla aromas. Best served with friends.
14% Alcohol
Today's wine is the younger brother to the Beronia Reserva that we've recommended multiple times. And it's quite a contrast! While the Reserva showcases a mastery of the heavy use of oak, the Crianza offers a much lighter touch, even though it still spends 12 months in barrels. Both are delicious in their own right.
The 2018 Beronia Crianza begins with a very pleasant aroma of black cherry, baking spice, dried herbs, a touch of balsamic and more.
The wine tastes smooth and fresh with lots of ripe fruit and soft tannins. You'll also find continued hints of baking spice and herbs plus touches of cedar, vanilla, licorice and balsamic in this really tasty, fruity wine.
The fruit turns quite tart on the long, dry finish. This is a lovely, easy to drink wine and quite a contrast from the Reserva with much less oak influence. It was even a bit better and more harmonious on day two.
Looking for more of our favorite picks from Rioja under $20? Click the pic below to browse our multi-page listing along with more information on the wines of this popular, and unique, region!
And here's our review of the previous vintage, the 2017:
The 2017 Beronia Crianza begins with a very pleasant aroma of black cherry, baking spice, dried herbs and more.
The wine tastes smooth and fresh with lots of ripe fruit and soft tannins. You'll also find continued hints of baking spice and herbs plus touches of cedar, vanilla and balsamic in this really tasty wine.
The fruit turns quite tart on the long, dry finish. This is a lovely, easy to drink wine and quite a contrast from the Reserva with much less oak influence.
