I thought the idea of Gran Reserva was that the wines had mellowed through the 5+ years of aging. Not this one…

Ramón Bilbao Rioja Gran Reserva 2008, Spain (£14.95-£16.95 Hercules Wine Warehouse, Noel Young, Sandhams, The Wine Reserve, Concept Fine Wines)
Still a pup, with oak coming through strongly and giving both what I call a rubbery note and a touch of dark chocolate. But there’s also plenty of ripe red berry flavour, a hint of citrus peel and a long spicy finish. Good now but will be some much better in five years. S(-)