4/8/2024 - ThompsonandFrench wrote:

Still very young seeming. Concentrated without any (interesting) nuances from age. Try again in 2026 or later.

4/7/2024 - Sonoffalstaff Likes this wine:

See Montepasto a few comments down. I think this is even better with age as more extreme elements are harmoniously integrated. It is not classic Rioja. It is a different but no less enjoyable wine. For me its character is more California or Rib del Duero than Rioja. But it’s no Parker fruit bomb. This has poise and elegance to match its rich flavours.

3/30/2024 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Low quality DOC generic cork that broke into several pieces (pictured) then extracted depositing small fragments inside the bottle.
Beautiful cloydy ruby colour for this twenty year old GR from Eguren family. Spectacular nose with elegant aromas of stew, sweet spices, maraschino cherries, bed of aromatic flowers like lavender or delicious milk chocolate. Glorious complexity.
On the palate it has an elusive texture, as good rioja wine still retains a high acidity, tasty to the last sip but with a sweet note, greedy in its fullness. Good length and pseudo-citrus aftertaste. Perfect as even as a post-lunch wine. Close to perfection.
Please do not praise those famous 1928 Paternina bottles again and score this one below 90 points at this precise moment. Be patient. It is a good season to uncork well aged rioja wine bottles. Scandalous this low score.
Something must be done.

Corcho generico de la DOC de baja calidad que se rompió en varios pedazos (en la imagen) al ser extraído depositando pequeños fragmentos dentro de la botella.
Precioso color rubí apagado para este GR de veinte años de la familia Eguren. Espectacular en nariz con elegantes aromas a estofado, especias dulces, cerezas marrasquinas, cama de flores aromáticas como la lavanda o delicioso chocolate con leche. Gloriosa complejidad.
Al paladar presenta una elusiva textura, como buen vino de rioja todavía conserva una alta acidez, sabroso hasta el último sorbo pero con una nota dulce, golosina en su plenitud. Buena longitud y regusto pseudo-cítrico. Perfecto como incluso como vino de sobremesa. Cerca de la perfección.
Por favor, no vuelvas a alabar las famosas botellas de Paternina 1928 y a puntuarlas por debajo de 90 puntos en este momento. Se paciente. Es una buena temporada para descorchar botellas de vino de rioja bien envejecidas. Escandalosa esta baja puntuación. Algo debe ser hecho.

3/26/2024 - bobbylion Likes this wine:

Still not quite ready. Has a wonderful elegance, sort of dances in your mouth. As bosconias need 20 years to mature, these seem to require 25. open end after that for both. Hope I am alive to enjoy:):(

Increasing to 93 after 45 min in the Glas. 2 hr decant and this is good to go.

3/12/2024 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Well, well, well. What a great time to uncork this almost 20-year-old bottle. The relatives of Toñín continue to take advantage of the quality corks of Viña Tondonia without a signed vintage to close these bottles (pictured). Beautiful and translucent ruby colour with orange edges. Supposedly burgundian style wine of López de Heredia, offering delicious fleshy aromas with thyme and rosemary along with notes of perfectly ripe cherries. Also mineral tips with leather and spices. Wonderful combination. Riojana complexity. On the palate, the velvety texture of a medium-bodied wine stands out, a deep acidity that provides a lot of length and a fast finish. Fleshy and fruity aftertaste. Traditional and with a lot of time ahead. Happy to have two more bottles sleeping in my unassuming cellar.

Bueno, bueno, bueno. Qué gran momento para descorchar esta botella de casi veinte años. Los familiares de Toñín continúan aprovechando los corchos de calidad de Viña Tondonia sin añada para cerrar estas botellas (en la imagen). Bello y traslúcido color rubí con bordes anaranjados. Supuestamente el vino de estilo borgoñón de López de Heredia, ofreciendo deliciosos aromas carnosos con tomillo y romero junto con notas a cerezas maduras en su punto. También puntas minerales con cuero y especias. Maravillosa combinación. Complejidad riojana. Al paladar destaca su textura aterciopelada de vino de cuerpo medio, una profunda acidez que proporciona mucha longitud y un final veloz. Regusto carnoso y frutal. Tradicional y con mucho tiempo por delante. Feliz por tener otras dos botellas durmiendo en mi modesta bodeguita.

3/2/2024 - UrbanGrill Likes this wine:

And here we are 4 years later, and it is indeed amazing. What a bargain Aussie semillon can be, if you have the patience.

9/20/2023 - Harley1199 wrote:

By the glass. Blend in almost equal parts of pinot noir, chardonnay and meunier, which is mathematically impossible (!). Dosage content of 9 grams of sugar per liter. Nose is abundant although of a simple and direct definition. It offers a lot of fruit on the palate with a refreshingly bitter finish, perhaps dried with too much new wood. I expected much more with such an origin.

Por copas. Mezcla de casi a partes iguales de pinot noir, chardonnay y de meunier, lo cual es matemáticamente imposible (!). Dosage contenido de 9 gramos de azúcar por litro. En nariz se muestra abundante aunque de una definición simple y directa.
En boca ofrece mucha fruta en el paladar medio con un final refrescantemente amargo quizás con demasiada madera nueva. Esperaba bastante más con semejante origen.

1/30/2024 - Harley1199 wrote:

I tried to open the bottle fifteen hours before lunch but the last third of the poor quality cork was firmly stuck to the neck of the bottle so it was necessary to turn to The Durand. Still, the pulverized cork (pictured) left too many particles floating and I decided to filter it and a double decanting while removing fine-grained sediments from the bottom of the bottle. A shame for the winery not to spend a little more on corks. Black core with watery, brown ruby edges. On the nose there are notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, graphite, leather, wet earth, with a classical complexity, Calvinist and austere, without real emotions. On the palate it offers a weak structure, a more watery texture than velvety, a dusty acidity and a merely decent length. In short another bottle of a second GCC wine in a great year. Nothing extraordinary, I'm sorry. Increasingly convinced that second wines in Bordeaux are not built to age.

Intenté abrir la botella quince horas antes del almuerzo pero el último tercio del corcho de escasa calidad estaba firmemente pegado al cuello de la botella por lo que fue necesario recurrir a The Durand. Aún con todo, el corcho pulverizado (en la imagen) dejó demasiadas partículas flotando y decidí filtrarlo y una doble decantación eliminando de paso los sedimentos de grano fino del fondo de la botella. Una vergüenza para la bodega no gastar un poco mas en corchos. Corazón negro con acuosos, marrones bordes color rubí. En nariz sobresalen notas de grosellas negras, moras de ese mismo color, grafito, cuero, tierra mojada, con una complejidad clasica, calvinista y austera, sin sentimiento. Al paladar ofrece una débil estructura, una textura más acuosa que aterciopelada, una polvorienta acidez y una longitud meramente decente. En resumen otra botella de un segundo vino de un GCC en un gran año. Nada extraordinario, lo siento. Cada vez más convencido de que los segundos vinos en Burdeos no están hechos para envejecer.

4/14/2018 - bramwessel wrote:

Toasty, shroomy, cardamom, a little dank. Musty cellar. Petrichor.

12/9/2023 - thesternowl wrote:

I’ve often struggled to appreciate Beaucastel, particularly when young. However, the more often I drink older Beaucastel, I find myself slowly starting to understand why these wines are so important.

Opened about two hours prior. The 2001 Beaucastel pours a pale, slightly hazy garnet with a watery rim. Medium+ viscosity with signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous. Strawberry preserves, leather, bacon fat, and some chicory. On the palate, medium tannin, medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Is this the most powerful expression of Chateauneuf du Pape? No. But it’s balanced, complex and it makes me think and I like that.

As a sort of epilogue, I was able to enjoy this bottle with someone who drinks old Beaucastel more regularly than I do. He described this bottle as being one that is in-between plentitudes; which makes sense as some of the tertiary characteristics are beginning to show themselves. Subsequently, you can drink now but this will likely enter a new dimension in the next few years.

11/28/2023 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Pristine cork. Beautiful mahogany colour. Aromas of delicious dried fruits like peaches, apricots, figs or plums. Also nutty, caramel with a sandwood touch. That's complexity. On the palate showed deep and tasty. Creamy texture with good acidity. Alcohol well-integrated. Excellent length for a evocative aftertaste.
25 years on this tawny, aged to perfection, gonna have a slowly decline yet. Xmas is coming. Despite some Danish opinions 91.2 points sound like a joke by the way.

Corcho prístino. Hermoso color caoba. Aromas de deliciosas frutas secas como melocotones, albaricoques, higos o ciruelas. También frutos secos, caramelo con un toque de sándalo. Eso es complejidad. En boca se mostró profundo y sabroso. Textura cremosa con buena acidez. Alcohol bien integrado. Excelente longitud para un retrogusto evocador.
25 años en este tawny, envejecido a la perfección, que todavía va a tener un lento declive. La Navidad está llegando. A pesar de algunas opiniones danesas, 91.2 puntos suenan a broma por cierto.

12/3/2023 - Harley1199 wrote:

Pre-Xmas Indulgence; 12/1/2023-12/22/2023 (Madrid y Alicante - España): Fifth of six. PnP before one winter lunch. Long, bland cork. More metallic than charming on the nose. Bold, fleshy, tomatoes, veggie even. All symptoms there's a few life ahead. On the palate the same story, light structure, little unbalanced, vegetables can aftertaste, unlinked acidity, vulgar monotous and boring at its best. Fortunately just one more bottle remaining. It is not the first time I found Deiss biodynamics don't work properly. Surely my entire fault.

Quinta de seis. Descorchada antes de un almuerzo de invierno. Largo, corcho suave. Más metálico que encantador en nariz. Marcado, carnoso, tomates, para vegetariano incluso. Todos los síntomas de que hay poca vida por delante. Al paladar la misma historia, de estructura ligera, un poco desequilibrado, lata de verduras al retrogusto, acidez sin enganche, vulgar, monótono y aburrido en su mejor momento. Afortunadamente solo queda una botella más. No es la primera vez que encuentro que los biodinámicos de Deiss no funcionan. Seguramente es totalmente por mi culpa.

11/6/2022 - Harley1199 wrote:

By the glass. Another Bordolese blend wine without local grapes addiction that aged year and a half in new French oak. How to differentiate this bottle from its rivals in other parts of the world? Tuscans have long since decided that the elaboration goes far above soil. Fruit without spark and a huge structure. According my uneducated point of view nothing of special interest here.

Por copas. Otro vino de mezcla bordolesa sin adicción de uvas locales que permanece año y medio en roble francés nuevo. ¿Cómo diferenciar esta botella de sus rivales en otras partes del mundo? Los toscanos han decidido hace ya mucho tiempo que la elaboración va muy por encima del terruño. Fruta sin chispa y una descomunal estructura. Desde mi iletrado punto de vista nada de especial interés.

12/14/2023 - talbot61 Likes this wine:

Surprisingly little sediment. Very dark. Nicely structured and ready to drink, though the wine doesn't have the full piney expansiveness of the best of Lynch-Bages. No sweetness, but it still feels like a very big wine, and could almost be mistaken for one of the more restrained Napa cabernets. (I'm thinking of Corison in particular.)

11/25/2023 - Motz wrote:

These had been available for $10. Then the store dropped the price to $5. Naturally, I bought more. Expressive and substantive. Excellent textures, balance, and finish.

9/20/2023 - Harley1199 wrote:

By the glass. Another majority blend of pinot noir very crispy, young and direct. It needs time in the bottle, at least five years. For now fresh red berries and an exaggerated acidity on the palate. Merely gastronomic right now. Discrete dosage of 4.5 grams. /liter.

Por copas. Otra mezcla mayoritaria de pinot noir muy crujiente, joven y directa. Necesita de tiempo en botella, al menos cinco años. Por ahora bayas rojas frescas y una exagerada acidez al paladar. Meramente gastronómico en estos momentos. Discreto dosage de 4,5 grs./litro.

10/19/2023 - chablis28 wrote:

Jim and Michelene for their 40th wedding anniversary w/ chef Don Saunders. Matt L's btl flighted with Dave D's 95' Tondonia. Last time I had these 2 wines together I preferred this to the Tondonia. Tonight I flipped and a slight preference for the Tondonia's marvelous fruit. This was a little more darkly complected and slightly less giving tonight. That said I loved it's resolve, elegance and tertiary notes. The "other" stunning btl in a stunning flight! Thanks Matt L! 96+

6/18/2020 - fc1910 wrote:

My first try from the small island near our 17.federal state Mallorca,
a somewhat Bordeaux-blend, produccion limitada, bottle-number 359 out of 12.810, limitada, hmmm.......
CS, Merlot and Monastrell, in former bottlings blended with Tempranillo, maybe the producer now wants to add some freshness, succeeded!
Fresh cherry nose, some spice, aromas from the barrel treatment, but in a good way,
initially fresh mouthfeel, really lively acidity, good ripe tannin, not too balanced that young, but hopefully will come well together in 3(+) years, today needs a long slow ox in a big glass,
better give it a decent decant, a positive surprise, *(**-+), around 90,91 potential

7/9/2023 - Harley1199 Does not like this wine:

By the glass. Blend of Grenache, Carignan, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Lost terroir and gain international profile.
Among the villagess of Falset and Porrera, this wine is made with an strength of 15.5 ABV. Reserve your sherry in the cooler. Nose of very ripe black fruit with notes of dried Provencal herbs. Certainly little manifestation of the terroir. On the palate follows this trend with a balsamic texture, an acid imbalance and an alcoholic and tannic finish. Little gem to be remembered. In conclusion, a hunting points with character of a New World regrettable wine.
Moreover, a whole detail and a statement of intent do not put the option of the Spanish language on your website. Thanks for making it easier.

Por copas. Vino de mezcla de Garnacha, cariñena, syrah y cabernet sauvignon. Perdida de terruño y ganancia de perfil internacional.
Entre las poblaciones de Falset y Porrera se elabora este vino de un grado alcohólico de 15,5%. Reserva tu jerez en la nevera fresquito. Nariz de fruta negra muy madura con notas de hierbas provenzales secas. Ciertamente poca manifestación del terruño. Al paladar sigue esa tendencia con una textura balsámica, un desequilibrio ácido y un final alcohólico y tánico. Joyita a recordar. En conclusión, un caza puntos con carácter de vino del Nuevo Mundo lamentable.
Por otra parte, todo un detalle y una declaración de intenciones no poner la opción de la lengua castellana en su página web. Gracias por ponerlo tan fácil.

10/13/2023 - Papies wrote:

The Papies join the 13,000 Tasting Notes Club (Paris, France): Decanted and really needs it at this stage.
This wine is like you are in 1801 and u just met 5yr old Mozart. Mind blown , but also you are like wait , what happens in 5,10, 20 years . And that’s exactly it , as exceptional as this wine is now in its youth , perfect rich fruit, still mostly primary it is a case of where this goes and could well be a perfect wine in 10years . For now a 96-97 and what a joy! Pointless to discuss more.

9/26/2023 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

After eight years first of three. Bottle opened only half an hour before lunch. Beautiful cardinal colour with watery edges. Pristine cork. Characteristic aromas of cinnamon and leather, camphor and flesh. Also notes of forest and mushrooms. Without the weight of the years passed away. On the palate it is quite whole, loyal to this vintage, structured but with balance of acidity and a finish still slightly tannic. Tasty aftertaste, more rustic than elegant. Still good time to uncork these 2001 Rioja bottles. Last glass the best.

Botella abierta solo media hora antes del almuerzo. Bello color cardenalicio con bordes acuosos. Corcho prístino. Característicos aromas a canela y cuero, a alcanfor y a carne fresca. También notas de bosque y champiñones. Sin el peso de los años transcurridos. En boca se muestra bastante entero, fiel a la añada, estructurado pero con equilibrio de la acidez y un final todavía ligeramente tánico. Sabroso postgusto, más rústico que elegante. Todavía un gran momento para abrir estás botellas de Rioja 2001. La última copa, la mejor.

9/23/2023 - jviz wrote:

A lot of the fruit has faded from this bottle since I had it last. It is totally serious, with sherry, sliced mushroom, waxy hazelnut, not a ton of citrus in this case. It certainly remains in balance, deeply interesting and complex but lacking in the fruit department.

9/23/2023 - Motz wrote:

Corked bubbles!? Yuck!

7/28/2015 - rikipedia Likes this wine:

The Four Seasons Tasting Bordeaux First Growths (Aubergine Restaurant): Mid to deep garnet: Complex, intense, brooding bouquet displaying earth, dark fruits and smashed rocks. The entry is powerful, masculine and mysterious! Full-bodied with a fabulous frame of solid, dense iron-clad tannins. This soaring-high wine has vertiginous fresh acidity, giving depth and fantastic concentration yet never appearing heavy. Impressive and precise, like an athletic javelin thrower, the flavours are blackcurrant, oak hints, and graphite, presented in pure form. Incredible length and continues to impress.

9/8/2023 - Lype Likes this wine:

It's been a while since the previous dive into the Musar land, way too long actually. Surprisingly clean bouquet, tempting but raises concerns - is this Musar enough? The palate reveals that it is. Uniquely lovely and elegant, slightly sweet, lingonberry and cassis flavors, minerals, luxurious exotic spices and more. Clean and pure but hints of funk, nail polish, wet dog and pea pod - all necessary Musar elements. Fresh acidity and mouthwatering longish finish. Super-good bottle and an excellent vintage. Damn the torpedoes, I am moving to Bekaa Valley and live happily ever after.

9/5/2021 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Addicted to the North of Spain? Despite the rain do it on a Twin ...; 9/3/2021-9/5/2021 (Santander & Asturias - España): Last third of a magnum. Well-known wine with its notes of yeast and bitter apricot. On the palate it is glycerin, long and succulent. Infinite aftertaste with layers of depth. Always a hit.

Último tercio de una magnum. Vino bien conocido con sus notas de levadura y de albaricoque amargo. En boca es de glicerina, larga y suculenta. Infinito postgusto con capas de profundidad. Siempre un acierto.

8/18/2023 - Harley1199 Does not like this wine:

Family Holidays; 7/28/2023-9/10/2023 (Alicante - España): Bottle opened almost three hours ahead lunch. Little soaked cork but really fine. Compensated with age ruby colour. Have aperitif with Desperados lime flavoured and tapas of fried squid and Orly prawns.

About the wine, tar, plastics, asphalt, wooden plank, repeat ... What am not I surprised? Is it because 2003's heat? Is it that 2nd grow status decline the real cause? Is it cause Margaux is not Margaux anymore? Well, maybe it is simpler, IT IS COZ Lurton family is under the helmet. Reconocible style wide world. Doesn't matter if you are in Chile, Spain or Bordeaux. Lovely international way for some, a complete terroir disaster for others.
What's else? Little of roses on the nose and watery texture with a central acidity line on the palate. Short and unsavoury. First 2003 Bd'x I disliked and please, don't tell me it is going to be flowering in a few days. I am not interested. CT score is a reflexión of what we have here.

Botella abierta casi tres horas antes del almuerzo. Un poco del corcho empapado pero bastante bien. Color rubí compensado con la edad. Tomé un aperitivo de Desperados con sabor a lima y rabas de calamares más gambas en gabardina.

Sobre el vino, alquitrán, plásticos, asfalto, tablón de madera, repite ... ¿Qué es lo no me sorprende? ¿Es por el calor del 2003? ¿Es el decline del estado segundo CC la causa real? ¿Es porque Margaux ya no es Margaux? Bueno, tal vez es más simple, ES PORQUE la familia Lurton está al mando. Reconocible estilo en el ancho mundo. No importa si estás en Chile, España o Burdeos. Encantadora manera internacional para algunos, un completo desastre para el terruño para otros.
¿Qué más? Un poco de rosas en nariz y textura acuosa con una línea de acidez central al paladar. Corto y poco sabroso. Primer Burdeos 2003 que no me ha gustado y por favor, no me digas que va a estar floreciendo en unos días. No estoy interesado. La puntuación de CT refleja lo que hay aquí.

8/12/2023 - Skotto Likes this wine:

Review for vintage laid in chalk 2017. Review of 5 bottles out of same lot, consumed over past three months.
Mostly fresh green apples on the nose and palate. A splash of fresh spring and morning dew.
PnP, the bubbles are ruckus, asking too many questions. Strongly suggest popping bottle and letting it rest in ice for an hour or three, then everything’s nice.
Have a few boxes of this series (vintage) in storage and will let them rest a few years and see what develops.

8/11/2023 - Harley1199 wrote:

Family Holidays; 7/28/2023-9/10/2023 (Alicante - España): Served by the glass. Certainly this vintage BdB is a champagne without much volume, at least it is fresh, fruity and a thin step through the palate. At least it highlights its tension and mineral end. Too direct. It doesn’t stand out for anything special. I’m sorry. Simple and predictable even in an extraordinary vintage like this.

Servida por copas. Ciertamente este BdB de añada es un champán sin mucho volumen, fresco, frutal y de un paso delgado por el paladar medio. Al menos destaca su tensión y final mineral. Demasiado directo. No destaca por nada especial. Lo siento. Simple y predecible incluso en una añada extraordinaria como esta.

10/20/2022 - lolo66 wrote:

a bit modern but not in a bad way. some cocoa on nose, balanced, middle weight - seems to need more time.

7/6/2023 - DAN BAILEY Likes this wine:

2 bottles opened for a team lunch. First time for me with this vintage of dp. Bright yellow colour with a hint of gold. Fresh nose. Really good on the palate. Lovely balance with not a hair out of place. Very pleasantly surprised for what I thought was a weak vintage.

4/21/2023 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

Bottle opened two hours before lunch. More than enough time. Cherry colour with violet tones, a dark core and watery edges of a blurred brick colour. On the nose, firm notes of cranberries combined with toasted cereals and something vegetable, like a boiled artichoke. Also some cookies. Smooth and correct second wine. In the mouth it retains a velvety texture, a refreshing acidity and a delicious aftertaste without traces of astringent notes. Well integrated alcohol. Much better than the previous bottle drunk in 2015. A Bordeaux claret at its best. Recognizable St. Julien. Twenty years on and that famous heat from 2003 has left no trace. It is always newsworthy after those interested warnings from critics that still today are not rectified. Shamefully.

Botella abierta dos horas antes del almuerzo. Tiempo más que suficiente. Color cereza con tonos violetas, un núcleo oscuro y bordes acuosos de color ladrillo difuminado. En nariz firmes notas a arándanos rojos combinados con cereales tostados y algo vegetal, como de alcachofa hervida. También un golpe a galleta. Suave y correcto segundo vino. En boca conserva una textura aterciopelada, una refrescante acidez y un delicioso retrogusto sin rastro de notas astringentes. Alcohol bien integrado. Mucho mejor que la botella precedente bebida en 2015. Un clarete bordolés en su mejor momento. Reconocible St. Julien. Con veinte años a sus espaldas, el calor de 2003 no ha dejado huella. Siempre es noticiable después de las interesadas advertencias de los críticos que aún hoy en día siguen sin rectificar. Vergonzosamente.

6/20/2023 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

New Opportunities by the Sea; 6/7/2023-6/30/2023 (Alicante - España): More than ten years since previous bottle from this vintage. Till keeping that golden net, a sign of the greatness from the past. Capsule shattered into a thousand pieces when trying to remove it. Cork soaked and moldy. Another mission impossible for The Durand achieved (pictured). PnP. Clear orange colour with a ruby core and some aqueous edging. On the nose, after dissipating the obvious reduction, it retains that sweet touch of strawberries, wet leather, plowed earth, wild mushrooms, vegetable glycerine, furniture varnish, rusty apple, marzipan ... Endless complexity for a bottle that some would describe as old. On the palate it has a silky, elusive and watery texture. Tremendous acidity, still alive and kicking although volatile is already knocking at your doors. Finish fully digestive. I reaffirm, wine of La Rioja is not for everyone. I’m sorry.
An inspiring, exciting bottle that on the back label proudly obstructs a simple "crianza" and deserves all kinds of praise. I still have two more bottles. Happiness

Más de diez años desde la última botella de esta añada. Todavía conservaba la red dorada, signo de grandeza del pasado. Cápsula destrozada en mil pedazos al intentar retirarla. Corcho empapado y enmohecido. Otra misión imposible para The Durand conseguida (en la imagen). Abierta y servida. Límpido color anaranjado con un núcleo rubí y unos ribetes acuosas. En nariz, tras disipar la evidente reducción, conserva el toque dulce de las fresas, del cuero mojado, de la tierra arada, de setas silvestres, de la glicerina vegetal, del barniz de mobiliario, manzana oxidada, mazapán ... Complejidad sin fin para una botella que alguno calificaría de vetusta. Al paladar presenta una textura sedosa, esquiva y acuosa. Tremenda acidez, todavía viva y coleando aunque la volátil ya está llamando a sus puertas. Final plenamente digestivo. Me reafirmo, el vino de La Rioja no es para todo el mundo. Lo siento.
Una botella emocionante, inspiradora que en la etiqueta trasera obstenta orgullosamente un simple "crianza" y que bien merece todo tipo de elogios. Todavía conservo dos botellas más. La felicidad.

4/30/2023 - Harley1199 wrote:

By the glass. The heritage of Eguren family are released. Identifiable as Rioja although not as much as belonging to the alavese part, not being the fruit so obvious and electrifying nor conserving a little carbonic part. A 100% Tempranillo wine aged for 12 months in the typical 225-litre French oak barrels. Perhaps in this factor dilutes that pretended character but they must follow the family footprint. On the nose aromas of a bowl of strawberries with cream with sprinkled spices. Terroir missing in action. Palate is fresh, simple and with that acidity that calls for another glass. It is needed to refine that current presence of wood. In short, modernity in broad daylight to visit bars and taverns drinking crianza instead of cosecha wines.

Por copas. Los cachorros de los Eguren se desfogan. Identificable como Rioja aunque no tanto como perteneciente a la parte alavesa, no siendo la fruta tan obvia y electrizante ni conservando una parte de carbónico. Un vino 100% Tempranillo con una crianza de 12 meses en las típicas barricas de roble francés de 225 litros. Quizás en este factor de diluye ese pretendido carácter pero hay que seguir la huella familiar. En nariz aromas de un tazón de fresas con nata con especias espolvoreadas. Terruño desaparecido en combate. Al paladar es fresco, sencillo y con esa acidez que llama por otro trago. Falta afinar la actual presencia de la madera. En definitiva, modernidad a plena luz del día para salir de bares bebiendo crianza en lugar de vinos de cosecha.

5/7/2023 - FEDEVIDAL Likes this wine:

la botella lleva abierta varios días. Color cobre muy oscuro. Aroma intenso, profundo y de extraordinaria riqueza, se encuentra prácticamente de todo, chocolate, regaliz, caramelo, tierra húmeda, flores azules, frutos secos, almendras garrapiñadas, café y un largo etcétera, también un poco alcohólico. La boca tiene una entrada potente aunque enseguida se apacigua y se torna muy suave, cuerpo muy alto así como también la acidez, la boca también da infinidad de sensaciones, siendo las más notables chocolate y café y caramelo también un poco alcohólica. Final larguísimo
No es un vino dulce sino más bien seco, aunque el final conlleva algunas notas dulzonas, tiene un cierto parentesco con los vinos de jerez, seguramente debido a su sistema de crianza, mediante soleras, pero tiene personalidad propia e independiente.
Vino histórico puesto que se conocen referencias del mismo desde el siglo XV.
Experiencia excepcional

12/28/2022 - Bandreas wrote:

Very dark and brooding color; the nose is typically Ardanza as I remember it. On the palate the wine has more tannin than what I am used to from this producer. Acidity is present but not obtrusive.
Compared to past bottling it does seem to lack depth, breadth and complexity. Looking up my last tasting note of 2020, the oak has attenuated faster than I predicted.
Harley was probably right: I am not sure that this producer is - for my taste - on the right track with the change in vilification that has taken place...

9/25/2022 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

By the glass. Undoubtedly best thing about this champagne blend is that touch of dryness that manifests both on the nose and in the mouth. Bubble is fine with a very pale colour. Aromatically, notes of dried apricots, butter bread and a squeezed lemon with a vegetable touch stand out. Palate has a dense texture, more yeast than fruit denoting youth. Its price does not offer a true value specially if compered with last bottle of Clouet of the same vintage.

Por copas. Lo mejor de este champán de mezcla es ese tacto de sequedad que se manifiesta tanto en nariz como en la entrada en boca. Burbuja fina y de un color muy pálido. Aromáticamente sobresalen las notas de orejones, pan de mantequilla y una exprimida de limón con un toque vegetal. Al paladar presenta una densa textura, más levadura que fruta denotando juventud. Su precio no ofrece un verdadero valor especialmente si lo comparamos con el Clouet de esta misma añada.

4/2/2023 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine:

På pappret ett fantastiskt vin, men i afton levererade den "bara" som en mycket bra Bdx.

Missnöjd.

3/21/2023 - El Tino Likes this wine:

I have had 2 of the 6 we own and echo the other writers’ enthusiasm. I think we served it too cold, and it was a bit subdued, but really expressed itself after an hour or so. I would love to get suggestions on food pairing for this lovely but unconventional white rioja if people would be so kind. We tried it with Lebanese tonight - not bad, but not quite right, and I struggle to see it going with seafood - maybe percebes- but we din’t see many of them in London!

9/18/2022 - Harley1199 wrote:

By the glass. Too much tropical fruits on my rustic, illiterated nose. Palate showed fatty, of a dense volumen and oily texture. Very long alright but where the hell is minerality? Where's Preuses finesse?

Por copas. Demasiadas frutas tropicales para mi nariz rústica y analfabeta. Paladar graso, de volumen denso y textura oleaginosa. Muy largo, pero ¿dónde diablos está la mineralidad? ¿Dónde está la delicadeza de Preuses?

3/1/2023 - Nanda wrote:

Pre La Paulée Dinner with friends (Home): 12 Donnhoff GG/Keller/CsH horizontal. Each wine showed so darn well and the Donnhoff was several people's favorite. Excellent concentration with just kiss of sweetness. Nice floral elements with plenty of cut and precision. At peak.

2/24/2023 - WilliamMP Likes this wine:

For such a large house at such a reasonable price, I don't think you can expect more. Pretty darn good, with typicity in its pretty strong autolytic notes, good acidity, balance and its measured dosage.

2/20/2023 - winoman1 wrote:

This drank decently, almost elegant, but not elevated enough to pay $200. Not even near. A sure shot red that would grace any dinner setting, but honestly....

There was some chewy rosemary notes mingling within an attractive berry profile. I'd pay 70 bucks any day

2/19/2023 - Harley1199 wrote:

Only Old Chaps Meeting By the Sea; 2/17/2023-2/19/2023 (Alicante - España): Bottle opened directly before Saturday dinner and served in bowls glasses to allow it to air and show its supposed qualities. Monovarietal of albariño in that Petit Clos range of this winery. It combines aging in oak and cement deposits. On the nose it is an intense wine, with hints of unriped citrus, pear-like white fruit, with a stroke of white pepper. Lack of salinity, loss of elegance in consequence, direct character, an abrupt finish and an absurd dense texture that does not end up being balanced with some citric acidity, are some of its hallmarks on the palate. Without any depth by the way. The comparison with the best Albariños from Rías Baixas in Galicia is ridiculously offensive. Full stop.

Botella abierta directamente antes de empezar la cena del Sábado y servida en copas de balón para permitir que se airee y muestre sus supuestas cualidades. Monovarietal de albariño dentro de la gama Petit Clos de esta bodega. Combina el envejecimiento en roble y en tinajas de cemento. En nariz es un vino intenso, con recuerdos a cítricos sin madurar, a fruta blanca tipo pera, con un golpe de pimienta blanca. Ausencia de salinidad, pérdida de elegancia, carácter directo, un final abrupto y una absurda textura densa que no termina de equilibrarse con la acidez cítrica, son algunas de sus señas de identidad al paladar. Sin profundidad alguna por cierto. La comparación con los mejores Albariños de Rías Baixas en Galicia resulta ridículamente ofensiva. Punto final.

2/15/2023 - Chrysostomus Likes this wine:

Xavier Auerbach's review was the reason, why I had to taste this one. He hit the nail on the head in his review...

Purple Red color, no signs of ageing here. The same on the beautiful, fresh nose: no tertiary aromas, only black and blue fruits and a typical Saint-Estephe "flowerish" note, bell pepper and kardamon. You want to dive into this...
Palate is fresh, black currants and cherries dominate, fine tannins, which are a little bit drying at the end..this adstringence is the only disturbing thing here, the rest is pure fresh beauty. Perfect balance between sugar and acid. No overheating. Stunning for the price!

2/9/2023 - chablis28 wrote:

Chef Don Saunder's food entices 7 city dwellers to our place in the exurbs! 8 of us plus Nita & Joe enjoyed Don's magnificent food tonight 30 miles from downtown Minneapolis. What a night!! CV,KB,SS,CS,DM,DD,LI, & DS. With plenty of air this wine was superb tonight! Kevin's btl tonight and it rocked! I've always been a big Montee De Tonnerre fan. Especially since it can come very close to the Grands for historically a 3rd of the price. Not any longer from the big 3; Raveneau, Dauvissat & Fevre. This btl tonight proved why Raveneau remains top of that pyramid. The sheer intensity, class, power and length here makes this utterly compelling and impossible not turn heads. The most fully realized wine of the night regardless of color. A dream wine for Chablis lovers like myself! And, in a relative sense, an overperformer since it seemed more like what I'd expect from a Rav Les Clos. Thanks Kevin!

2/9/2023 - rocknroller wrote:

Going Up The Country: Suburban Bliss & Wines to Match (Craig & Nita's Place): Light medium gold color. Splash double decanted and recorked prior to departing. Drank a glass plus over 2.5 hours. It always makes me a bit twitchy opening these coveted bottles of wine. Will it be over hyped, off, or just not meet expecttions. Well tonight the wine gods were looking out for us. This was a magnificent bottle in all its glory, seemingly nearing its epogee. I found it gaining depth and even more complexity in glass over the first hour plus. Amazing nose, so deep and provocative, lemon, lemon oil, butterscotch, gradually filling with bursting sea air, oyster shell, kumquat, and beeswax with so much power. The palate is a study in density and penetration, lemon, lemon oil, saline, butterscotch, kumquat, oyster shell, limestone, honeycomb, voluminous and very long. Wow, this was magical, and it really seemd to be at the perfect point of evolution. I love MdT, and this one clearly had Grand Cru stuffing. 97+ to 98pts.

1/29/2023 - jlgnml Likes this wine:

Opened late at night. Light rose color. Wife said dry finish. Don’t serve this to me again I found it enjoyable, just the wrong time to be drinking it.

12/9/2022 - SoundinBetween wrote:

Top shoulder fill showing slight signs of past seepage under the cap, however wine itself showed no advancement from possible oxygen ingress. Fully resolved tannin with aromas of smoked meat, cranberry, and spice. Acidity was pronounced and depth of fruit balanced still at this great age, a crowd pleaser and so easy to drink. Drank much younger in all respects than '42 Tondonia Gran Reserva opened 2 weeks later. Exceptional bottle if you can find it around! Back label indicated this bottle was sourced from an Italian cellar sometime in the last few decades.

6/27/2021 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:

By the glass. Perfume of roses and red berries with clove and cinnamon. A classic delicacy. Soft yet intense and with a slightly tannic finish. For those who want to know what all the wines of Margaux were like thirty years ago. It would be worth letting these bottles sleep for another ten years.

Por copas. Perfume a rosas y bayas rojas con clavo y canela. Una delicadeza clásica. Suave aunque intenso y con un final ligeramente tánico. Para quien desee saber cómo eran todos los vinos de Margaux hace treinta años. Merecería la pena dejar dormir estas botellas diez años más.