Old Rioja tasting

Tasted Wednesday, October 27, 2021 by sirpat00 with 117 views

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 2002 Gosset Champagne Célebris 95 Points

    France, Champagne

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Fine layer of oxidative notes providing for a layer of almonds and hazel nuts, fine fruit notes of citrus, pear and hints of raspberry, steely minerality and a spicy, herbal complexity. Also an idea of caramel. Round and perfectly fresh with a medium length finish. This was definitely up there with the likes of Krug (vintage 2002), but couldn’t quite match the stellar Piper-Heidsieck Rare of the same vintage.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 2 (2 Notes)

  • 1981 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 90 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Lots of intensity here with a strong vegetal scent of asparagus that was hard to determine whether this was an omnipresent off-note or a highly distinct character. Other than that we found nutty notes, orange peel, white fleshy fruit and a bit of mineral notes. Creamy texture with good punch of acidity which intensifies into the finish. This was intellectually fascinating, but hedonistically a bit rough to enjoy.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1999 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    First thought was this had an almost Sauternes-like touch aromatically. Nutty frame with caramel, pear fruit and white peach. Came across a bit tired at first, but opened up with time in the glass and a good amount of swirling. Nice and creamy, pretty round palate.

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 3 (3 Notes)

  • 1954 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 90 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Coca Cola and earthy notes strike first, but there are definitely also fruity accents. The aromas did not feel entirely clean, unfortunately. Added smokey layers and cigar box complexity. Palate is intact but with not much structure left, pretty thin actually. I would still serve this without hesitation, but clearly the weakest in this Tondonia flight (1954, 1964, 1980). Did gain intensity and expression on the nose over time, but not on the palate.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1980 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95). Third time having this wine and this bottle was somewhere in between of the previous ones (91-95).

    Tasting note:
    A slow-burner, gaining intensity over time in the glass. Shows a nice array of aging notes of leather, earth and sous-bois, but also rose petals, schist minerality and bouquet of mixed red and blue berries. Not overly complex on the palate, but with sufficient tension and a pretty long finish. This wasn’t as expressive as the 64, but came across elegant and refined which in my view put this one on top of the 1954, 1964 and 1980 flight.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1970 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 92 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Quite amazing intensity from the get go, plenty of leather and earth with floral elements and fresh berry fruit. Nicely aged, light and balanced palate with juicy undertones, leathery top notes and a herbal background. Much more lively than the 1954, but not quite as elegant and refined as the 1980 in this flight.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 4 (3 Notes)

  • 1962 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva Flawed

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    RIP. Unfortunately this has descended completely into cooked beef juice.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1966 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva Flawed

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Corked unfortunately, would have loved to compare to the 1964 head to head…

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1964 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva 94 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Pretty aged and already quite advanced, but showing nice fresh berry fruit, hints of medicinal notes and an array of fine aging aromas. Palate was maybe a bit thin as the main point of criticism, otherwise largely dominated by aging notes. This was detailed and finessed and in my view at least a couple of notches better than the Tondonia from the same vintage.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 5 (2 Notes)

  • 1928 Federico Paternina Rioja Gran Reserva 95 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Sweet spicy notes, almost candy-like, were the main feature elevating this from the pack. Hints of mint and a fresh red berry fruit. Amazingly versatile with black coffee and mocha phases following up on the sweet start. Beautifully built with a velvety texture that melts away on the palate while maintaining tension and carrying on plenty of aromatics. Not only the oldest, but also undisputed winner of the event.

    Read 2 Comments / Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue

  • 1955 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva 94 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Not sure if this was a late release and bottled or just re-bottled wine. This had an aura opulence. Pretty linear with a pure fruit, spicy sweet elements, tobacco and smoky dimensions. Quite dense, even if a tad bitter, on the palate but quite fresh and nicely fruity.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Flight 6 (1 Note)

  • 1954 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Flawed

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Old Rioja tasting, privately organized. Even though 3 out of 11 bottles were flawed, the tasting was once more testament to the outstanding ageability of Rioja. While clearly not a representative sample, the Tondonias were all intact while 2 out of 3 CVNEs were flawed. That said, where the one that was still intact (1964) easily beat the Tondonia. The WOTN was neither, however, but a Paternina from 1928 (95).

    Tasting note:
    Unfortunately corked.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

×
×