2012 Vivanco Crianza Rioja while subtle tea and licorice

while subtle tea and licorice root notes line the lightly firm finish

high-toned black raspberry nose show a slightly pruney ripeness (the VA here was a relatively elevated 0

This opens with pretty

with plenty of black cherry

Performing better from bottle than it did from cask

2012 Vivanco Crianza Rioja while subtle tea and licoriceThe 2012 Crianza, pure Tempranillo, fermented in oak vats and matured in barrique for 16 months, feels unusually classic in its profile of aromas, nicely developed and with contained ripeness. The medium bodied palate felt like a great improvement over the 2011 that I tasted last time, with fine tannins and very good balance. (LG)