December 11, 2023 - Consumed over 3 days I was struck at just how tight and primal this wine still is. A deep but not quite opaque shade of ruby / purple in the glass. Lots of toasty vanilla oak on the nose along with intense blackberry, dark cherry, cassis and just a hint of new leather. The palate is richly concentrated with ripe dark fruits, tobacco and spicy cured meat notes along with a surprising poise and beautiful freshness. The tannins are still very much present and lightly grainy through the long finish. A serious wine that still needs another 3-4 years in bottle.
October 12, 2023 - This big, dark beast is quite a few years from being tamed. Lots of primary here but nicely melded with savory secondaries: dark cherries and blackberries meet vanilla, cedar, allspice and cocoa. There is a touch of balsamic. Overall complex but a long way from being at its peak - the nose is really reticent and takes a while to open up. Tannins here are grippy and gritty and the body a bit on the heavy side. Must remember not to open these until at least ten years after vintage for full effect.
September 21, 2023 - Modestly wafty in the glass at this early stage in its life, it nonetheless shows great complexity with dark cherry, brambleberry, leather, sweet nutty oak, vanilla, and allspice. Medium bodied, it’s stout and sturdy with juicy acid and very textural tannin. The balance is superb and the mouthfeel is elegant and soft, but it’s more substantive around the edges; the middle of the palate is a bit thin. With more air – say, two hours – that mid palate fills in and the tannins get large, though the balance remains. It doesn’t open up structurally much more after 24 hours in the bottle. Flavors include cherry, blueberry, cassis, tobacco, graphite, seasoned wood, and tanned leather. With 24 hours in the bottle, the tobacco and leather expand their presence, and a bit of hard-dried Black Mission fig enters. Ideally this rests in the cellar for another seven to ten years.
July 21, 2023 - Very heavy on alcohol and very heavy oak characteristics. I would wait a few years before trying another.
May 7, 2023 - Such a smooth, classic rioja profile. Intense nose of cherry and leather, and that Christmas nutmeg spice smell. On the palate classic dark fruit flavors with the unmistakable pepper and vanilla aftertaste. Medium acidity, medium tannins, nice finish. Only needed about 30 minutes of air and opened up beautifully. Surprisingly balanced considering its relative youth. Can't go wrong with this - fantastic stuff given its price point.
April 22, 2023 - Bright red/purple. Aroma of spice and plums. Plum flavour too. Very fine. Mellow tannins.
January 15, 2023 - Still tannic. High alcohol level. Restricted nose. Not too impressive.
September 1, 2022 - Not my type of varietal but this as surprisingly good. Big musty nose that mellowed quickly. Bright fruits and spicy notes with a fairly spicy finish with little to no Tannins. Structure was decent as well.
July 9, 2022 - Still quite young but drinking well for me. Cranberries, leather, and dill on the nose. Juicy acidity with prominent oak tannin on the palate. Long finish with berries and oak. I do think it will continue to improve over the next 5 or so years as the tannin integrates better.
July 2, 2022 - This is a really satisfying wine, and still quite young yet. I loved its freshness and roundness. It's the kind of wine I would pour for someone as their first Rioja. Dried black cherry, coconut, tobacco, black olive, and blood oranges. In my view the cellartracker score on this wine is too conservative, and I don't often say that.