Today we’re looking at the new (for the USA) Specially Selected label at Aldi, starting with the Specially Selected Rioja Reserva.
Primarily Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain. The wine spends 3 years in oak casks plus some time in the bottle before its release.
It’s raining Rioja!
From the new Trader Joe’s Rioja Gran Reserva priced at $12.99 to this new Aldi Rioja Reserva at just $8.99 (not to mention the always dependable Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva at just $7.99), there are plenty of inexpensive options these days to try the wines of this unique region.
Today we’re also checking out Aldi’s new (to the US) Specially Selected label. Just recently introduced here, this label has been available in other markets for several years.
For the US market, there are a total of 10 wines being introduced including the Specially Selected Uco Valley Malbec, the Specially Selected Barossa Shiraz and the Specially Selected Napa Valley Cabernet we have also reviewed so far. All 10 wines are priced between $7.99 and $14.99.
We’ve long lamented the vastly superior selection of wines that European Aldi’s carry – could this be the start of the US getting more of these gems? We sure hope so.
The Specially Selected Rioja Reserva is available exclusively at Aldi and sells for $8.99. According to the back label it is bottled by Bodegas El Somo, who we could not find much information on, but may be part of Bodegas Muriel. The wine is imported by Pampa Beverages.
From Aldi:
Classical ruby red color with some hints of tile like color. Very fine aromas from the oak maturation (vanillas, spices and aromatic herbs) perfectly blended with very mature fruit bouquet. Pairs well with grilled or roasted meat dishes such as NY strip steak, beef tenderloin, lamb chops, venison stew.
13.5% Alcohol
The 2018 Specially Selected Rioja Reserva opens with tons of cedar and woodsy barrel-room aromas. There’s some dark fruit and spice as well but it is kind of overwhelmed by all the wood notes.
The wine tastes more balanced in the mouth but it still has lots of oak influence. Quite chewy and tannic, it’s tasting quite young at this point. It still it has some nice components however, like a smooth mouthfeel and decent depth.
It ends dry, chewy and with decent length. It was a bit better on day 2 although it was still tasting quite young.
While it’s just barely worth the low price tag right now, this could be quite nice in another year or two. That level of patience may not be what most Aldi shoppers are expecting from a $9 wine, but we applaud the effort.
2018 Specially Selected Rioja Reserva
Check out our Guide to Aldi Wine! Includes information about the business model, how it compares to Trader Joe’s and of course all of our recommended wine at Aldi USA!
You can also find more info on Rioja including our favorite wines here!
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