Oliver's glorious Steak and Rioja lunch

Wonderful afternoon of superb food, wine and company.

• 2021 Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry 3 en Rama Jerez de la Frontera

  Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry

  Was excited to taste this. En Rama fino has been a bit of an exciting find over the past year or so, and this was a step above - super complex. Will look for this again.

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• 2011 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Second time to taste this in the past week. Excellent vintage of an excellent wine.

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• 2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Not for the last time in this lunch, the classification rang true. Such good stuff - super integrated, the oxidative note is there but also the richness, the balance, an acidity and a nutty freshness. Such a lovely offering - thanks.

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• 2016 José Luis Ripa Sáenz de Navarrete Rioja RIPA Vino Rosado

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Serious wine, and great value for the money. At the risk of damning with faint praise…Provençal rose meets Rioja. A vinosity and a depth, and also a kind of herbaceous freshness. Really good stuff and I have a sense that with age it could become really interesting.

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• 2013 Bérêche et Fils Champagne Premier Cru Le Cran Ludes

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Tasted from tardy magnum. Worth the wait. Tasted out of zalto bordeaux and riedel sherry glasses. In the latter it really sang. Not sure if it was the magnum effect or the spirit of the event but this was really everything it should be.

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• 2001 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Viña del Olivo

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja

  Super well put together - tight with cherry and very well integrated oak. This will surely improve with age but drinking lovely now.

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• 2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Mmmmmm. This is a wonderful wine, drinking just as it should be.

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• 2001 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Depth to it. A clarety richness but also the spice from the american oak.

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• 2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Not gonna lie - I thought the Ardanza was going to hold its own here, but this was next level. Oddly more mature tasting than the Ardanza, and with a kind of pauillac nose and depth. Such good stuff.

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• 2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 'Selección Especial'

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Woof. Well. Hard for me to say anything good except like the 904 only more so. Such a depth, super balanced dusty tannins - an old claret balance to it but it also clearly is what it is. Thanks for sharing this wonderful wine.

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• 2005 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Such a generous bottle to share at this stage of events - but I don’t think misjudged…so balanced, I think a more primary, defined version of the 04. One of those wines you can just shut your eyes and taste again.

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• 2009 Château Suduiraut

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Lovely and very kind extra 2/3 bottle under Coravin. Seemed fully ready to drink - and paired wonderfully with the baked cheesecake.

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