An old-school Rioja from Bodegas Faustino, of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from this producer. The Faustino VII is a label I haven’t seen before and looks to be a value line crafted from 100% Tempranillo that’s been aged in American oak for six months. It offers up a classic profile of macerated strawberry, dusty earth, terra cotta roof tile, dried tomato, and oregano. Not at all heavy in the mouth, the acid wends around a core of plummy dark fruit, the tannins are nicely integrated. Sample
90 Points