Aged Rioja's and a Ribera

An epic evening of tasting Aged Rioja's AND a Vega Sicilia. These wines were haunting. I woke up this morning thinking about them and still tasting the lingering finish. That strawberry with aged balsamic vinegar of the highest caliber is how I would describe the overall note. Many had their own nuances. Some bigger, Some ethereal, some fragrant - almost all showed great. The first group didn't show well, but it just got better after that. What is amazing is how young and vibrant the wines showed. Especially the Lopez. The 1968's were singing. The 1964 were either shut down or didn't have enough air, but one could still decipher how profound these wines are.

• 1991 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera 88 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  a bit light in body but what is still there is elegant.

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• 1982 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea Flawed

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  corked!

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• 1982 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  this wine has a future. just getting into the tertiary notes. This is still in secondary phase. nose was bordering on sherry - that could be a troublesome sign for this bottle.

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• 1975 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Monte Real Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  this particular bottle had a strong nose of madeira. The taste held up but the nose got in the way. What was there was a nice combination of oak and fruit.

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• 1973 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  this was drinking nicely. Of the first 5 - which all didn't show too well, this was great and began to show what older rioja's can do. The wines that followed though were spectacular.

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• 1973 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva Prado Enea 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  this did not have a decant and it hurt the tasting. it was disjointed. the last sip an hour later showed more sour cherry fruit along with some balsamic notes and earth.

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• 1968 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia 95 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Wow. Wow. Now we are talking. mind boggling. So damn profound. Orange peel, fruit, earth, mushrooms and a lovely residual finish that lasted forever.

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• 1968 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 95 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  And again - right after the Bosconia was this. Amazing wine of elegance, floral elements. the finish, the color, the nose. Oh wow. By the way, this is just a baby.

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• 1964 Bodegas Carlos Serres Rioja Gran Reserva 95 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  The sleeper of the group. Drank right after the 1968 Lopez, and this just played in the same field. A bit larger in profile, but seamless. Balsamic cooked strawberries - so yummy.

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• 1964 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  a very nice showing. I didn't take any formal notes on this one - probably still reeling form others. but remember this good.

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• 1964 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  This was shut down. Or rather, it didn't have enough time to breathe. The elements are there to make this one hell of wine and long loved as well.

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• 1964 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  this is as well suffered from not being decanted. Showed the elements for a star, but at 50 years old, I have to say this was a baby.

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• 1960 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único 95 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  Incredibly youthful. By looking and tasting you could think it was 10-15 years old. A remarkable wine. Powerful. Full. a long finish. At 54 years old, this is its youth.

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• 1939 Bodegas AGE Rioja 92 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

  very nice showing. Still has plenty of life, but would say this on the downward slope. Tasting stronger elements of sherry than other notes, but still very enjoyable.

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• 1928 Federico Paternina Rioja Conde de los Andes Gran Reserva 95 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Faded color. bricking. Nice Pale Red color. On pour I knew we were in business. This is remarkable in that, while a touch faded, it is a fade that illuminates so many fine details of strawberry, citrus peel, clove, mushroom and a touch of smoke. What a treat to taste a wine of this age and showing so well.

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Just a great night. So glad to drink such special wines.