Marques de Caceres Crianza – More Classic Rioja

Last Updated on October 1, 2021

Why should Reserva wines get all the love? The Marques de Caceres Crianza Rioja.

Marques de Caceres Crianza - More Classic Rioja

85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha Tinta and 5% Graciano from 15-25 year old vines in Rioja (85% Rioja Alta and 15% Rioja Alavesa), Spain. The wine is aged for 12 months in French (60%) and American (40%) oak, split equally between new, 2, 3 and 4 year old barrels and another year in bottle before release. It is also vegan friendly.

Sample submitted for review. The Marques de Caceres Crianza has an SRP of $19 and is available for as low as $10-$11, including at many Costco locations. Imported by Vineyard Brands.

From the bottle:

Marques de Caceres Crianza is made from Tempranillo grapes selected by hand. Vinified with care and aged in French and American oak barrels for 12 months. Further aging in bottle for several months highlights its red berry fruit, structure and complexity. Silky smooth and elegant in the mouth. Serve at 16C/60.8F.

14% Alcohol

We love a good wine from Rioja but we often find ourselves overlooking the Crianza wines. (See here for an explanation of the different levels of wines in Rioja.) However, don’t write these off just because they are a level down from Reserva wines! With a minimum of one year in oak Crianza wines often easily out-perform most of the competition at their price point.

The 2015 Marques de Caceres Crianza Rioja begins with a very nice aroma of plum, raspberry and cranberry plus lots of lovely spice notes and a little leather. Taking a sip reveals lots of juicy fruit and really well integrated spice in this delicious, medium-bodied wine. It’s soft and smooth in the mouth and features similar flavors to the nose along with licorice and a little balsamic. Tobacco and other oaky spice notes lead into the long, dry, grippy finish.

Ready to buy? Check your local retailers.

2015 Marques de Caceres Crianza Rioja

TASTE: 8       COST: 8
OVERALL RATING: 8

Highly Recommended

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!

The Best Wines From Rioja Under $20 - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

Would You Like To Save This?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

We won't send you spam, unsubscribe at any time.

Jon Thorsen

ABOUT JON THORSEN

Author and independent wine consumer helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. Sign up for my FREE GUIDE to learn how! Read more about me...