2007 Big Bang (BB) De Exopto Rioja
This Big Bang Rioja, also called “BB” made it to my wine collection by way of Highland Wine‘s monthly wine club (one of the best things I’ve ever signed up for!). The accompanying wine notes recommended pairing this powerful wine with roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic. Wouldn’t you know that’s exactly what our friends the Glovers cooked for our New Year’s Day feast! Perfect.
We uncorked the Big Bang with high expectations — and it delivered! This blended wine is composed of 50% Garnacha, 40% Tempranillo, and 10% Graciano. Wine Advocate describes this wine as:
The Garnacha was raised in concrete vats, the Tempranillo and Graciano in oak for nine months. Dark ruby colored, it offers up an exceptionally spicy nose (from the Graciano) along with floral notes, underbrush, cassis, cherry, and plum. Medium-to full-bodied on the palate, it has layers of flavor, excellent acidity, savory fruit, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. It will be at its best from 2010 to 2017.
I’d tried some Riojas in the past at tastings and was never particularly fond of them. The more I’ve thought about it, I think it comes down to the massive power of these wines – oftentimes, they have strong tannins, so they’re just not going to come across at their best at a tasting without a big powerful meat to go with it. They’re just too much to really enjoy as a solo beverage. So next time you have a spicy, flavorful lamb – definitely give this wine a try!
Origin: Rioja, Spain
Where: Highland Wine
Price: $17
Next time: Get a glass!
Pairing can be tricky. Conventional wisdom calls for serving a “big” tannic wine with red meats, but actually full flavor is more important, and smoother reds do just as well as those with upfront tannins like Cabernot and Merlot. In fact, a good Garnacha, like Las Rocas, can work well with just about any kind of meal—the flavors are bold enough to stand up to juicy steaks but also behaved enough to not overpower poultry and fish such as salmon. It’s even a great complement to meals with multiple choice courses (such as a dinner party with both meat-eating and vegetarian guests).