Muga Crianza Rioja, 2011

Having tasted quite a few Rioja Crianza wines this past week, this one from Muga emerged as a clear favorite. Like the others, it has the hallmark American oak vanilla nose. In the mouth, though, it strikes me as having more concentrated fruit flavors. Red berries and spice framed by American oak. Aside from the oak, this reminds me of a good Cotes du Rhone Villages. Good now but with room to grow.