Vinous - 2011 - Dec 2015 - Josh Raynolds - Rolland Galarreta Rioja 2011 - 2018 - 2023 - $26.00
Opaque ruby. Spice- and smoke-accented cherry, blackberry and lavender aromas pick up a suggestion of mocha with air. Smooth, sweet and densely packed, offering bitter cherry and dark flavors that pick up a spicy nuance as the wine opens in the glass. Weighty yet lively in style, showing no rough edges. Supple tannins give shape to the spicy finish, which shows very good focus and persistence. Michel Rolland, of Bordeaux fame (and pretty much everywhere else that grapes are planted), is a partner here.

Wine Advocate - Interim - 31st Mar 2016 - 2011 Rolland & Galarreta • Rioja Crianza - Robert M. Parker, Jr. - 90/100 - 2016 - 2021 - $24
Another outstanding effort is the 2011 Rioja Crianza, which is made from 100% Tempranillo. This wine shows plenty of white chocolate, licorice, red and blackcurrants and tobacco leaf in a lovely, full-bodied style that has reached full maturity. The wood is well-integrated and the wine fleshy, savory and ideal for drinking over the next 4-5 years.