San Sebastian

Legendary old school Pintxos Place!

• 2008 Bodegas Pintia Toro Pintia 89 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Toro

  (11/22/2013)

  Tried it both from bottle and magnum with no decanting. We have to give it to it that it is a very crowd pleasing wine. With it's well round easygoing style, forward on the fruit, very ripe ( borderline burnt..) and with a fair amount of oak. Well made wine. But as with all wines of this style it fails to excite and become a centrepiece. 88-89 drink sooner than later we would say.

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no need to say much here...

• 2000 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  (11/23/2013)

  Beautifully aged at this stage, well round and rich. Open on the nose, ripe fruit, apple, mineral notes. Depth and complexity on the palate this is a beautiful wine of quality. Great time to have it now. 93 easy

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• 2006 Pazo de Señoráns Albariño Rías Baixas Selección de Añada 92 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  (11/23/2013)

  We really like this wine. Love the quality and purity. Light green in colour. Not as mature as the 2005 we had a few weeks ago but still a wine of character. Old vines shine here too with a concentration from nose, apple and citrus notes, to palate with good ripe devolved fruit. This is Albariño of the next level. 92 and drinks very nicely now.

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• 2009 Benjamin Romeo Rioja Que Bonito Cacareaba 91 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  (11/23/2013)

  Light greenish golden colour . On the nose u get the oaky aromatics first with an undertone of ripe apple and light citrus. U do expect a Chardonnay palate to start but when u try this it is far different. A touch less lush and round but full of character, minerality, light oxidative notes, and firm fruit. Shame the oak is so pronounced at this stage and would love to try this in a few years. Good wine though. 91

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• 2008 Benjamin Romeo Rioja Que Bonito Cacareaba Flawed

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  (11/23/2013)

  Cloudy , oxidised, bitter and nothing to do with the good 2009 we had

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• 1998 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único 95 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (11/23/2013)

  Decanted for 1 hour. Useful.
  The nose on this wine is an OMG moment. In a way more Burgundian than Spanish. So elegant and complex, with good fruit, light spice, cinnamon, cloves at times. All in tune and full of expression. On the palate it is youthful and fresh, full of energy, good ripe fruit and balanced. Still on the early times in its drinking window and with a lot of future this was a superb wine. Beautiful and delicious. 95 now and can only get better.

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• 2001 Parparoussis Muscat of Rio Patras 93 Points

  Greece, Peloponnisos, Patras

  (11/23/2013)

  This was a proud moment for us. The last of these in Mugaritz's wine cellar we could not resist it. And it performed. Quite a bit of sediment too. The nose feels well evolved, light honey, caramel. On the palate is in a way secondary, past the fresh vibrant time of its life, but full of character and depth. Greek wine at a world quality level! 93 and drink now

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• 2010 Alois Kracher Cuvée Eiswein 91 Points

  Austria, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee

  (11/23/2013)

  Came at the end of a long lineup of beautiful wines so some palate fatigue adjustment required here. We loved the freshness here and is something overlooked when we look for sweet wines as we go for age. Here the fresh, clear , mineral side was a winger. Granted not as complex as we expected still this wad a joy with a lighter, playful character but with a serious side too. 91-92

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Classic, old school and excellent. And with an amazing wine cellar!

• NV Pierre Mignon Champagne Brut Rosé

  France, Champagne

  (11/24/2013)

  Not much of a tasting note here as we had it onthe go. Remember it as a good rose but nothing more.

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• 2006 Pazo de Señoráns Rías Baixas Sol de Señorans Val do Salnés 91 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  (11/24/2013)

  Side by side with the Selection de Anadas. This sees oak for sure and maybe goes through full on malolactic. Good colour, light gold. On the nose one feels the touch of oak, not overdone but still present. We like it and this is more of a crowd pleaser than the Selection, however it feels a lot more mainstream and in a way ordinary vs the special character of the selection. Still very nice to see the humble Albariño at this quality. 91

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• 2006 Pazo de Señoráns Albariño Rías Baixas Selección de Añada 92 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  (11/24/2013)

  A special wine in a way albeit not for everyone. Green tint in colour, glossy. On the nose green apple and light citrus notes. Pure, well made Albariño . On the palate it has good weight of fruit but maintains a focused linear profile. We would love to try this in a few years again. Good discovery. 91-92

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• 1928 Federico Paternina Rioja Gran Reserva 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  (11/24/2013)

  We took the chance and it paid off! The excellent cellar of Zuberoa fostered this wine and kept it healthy. Quite firm on the nose, open and developed. Vibrant nose in a way Burgundian in complexity and although well evolved and matured the fruit was ever present. Similarly on the palate, very healthy vibrant wine and could easily last another 10 years if kept well. A great joy!

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• 1964 Federico Paternina Rioja Gran Reserva 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  (11/24/2013)

  The nose had a touch of oxidation but just a small touch. Healthy fruit intermixed with an earthy character and the wine was very vibrant! Firm on the palate too and for the age it had good concentration. Felt it could go for many more years. Eclipsed by the 1928 we had side by side but a very good wine nonetheless. 92

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• 1962 Federico Paternina Rioja Gran Reserva 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  (11/24/2013)

  We really like old Rioja. And here is another great example. Sourced from the excellent , and well priced, cellar of Zuberoa in San Sebastián this put a smile on our face. Healthy, vibrant and although secondary still had good fruit and lots of life in the tank. We had a great mini vertical along with it comprising of 28,59& 64. The youngsters we rated equally , the 1928 was a masterful 94. These when supplied from good cellars are excellent experiences true to what great Rioja can deliver. Modernists put away your barriques and learns from your grandfathers. 92

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• 1959 Federico Paternina Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  (11/24/2013)

  Much like the 62 and 64, this was very healthy and vibrant. Well developed on the nose but still with good fruit and vitality. The nose took a bit of time to open up but these wines can give Bordeaux a run for their money wrt longevity. Highly recommended if from a good cellar, like the excellent Zuberoa! 92

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• 1981 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  (11/24/2013)

  Had 2 bottles of this and both delivered a great experience. We love discovering old, great Rioja and the cellar of Zuberoa in San Sebastián delivered this wine in excellent condition. The nose can rival fine burgundy. Healthy, vibrant fruit interlaced with earthy elements, light spice, cloves at times. Such a complex nose! The palate continues on this tune albeit not of the same level however this was a beautiful wine and a great ambassador to what Rioja can deliver. If only the new Spanish wine makers looked down this road rather that lazy modernist path..... Old Rioja magic. 94+

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• 2005 Artadi Rioja Pagos Viejos 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  (11/24/2013)

  The modernist of our wine flight. Very young at this stage yet not austere or harsh. Dark red with purple shades. The nose is of young red fruit, with light dark fruits on the side. We expected oak to dominate but we were happy to see moderation here and the wine was not overdone albeit made in a more modern and forward way. We wanted to slam its modernity however it proved its own quality. Good ripe fruit, good weight if fruit, vibrant and long wine. Should age very well. 92 for now from us but with potential.

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