Community Tasting Note

NoahCap wrote:

Sunday, January 29, 2023 - Vibrant ruby with a rim that is starting to brick a bit. The nose starts out with a lovely tight core of sweet dark cherry aromas that unfortunately fade quite quickly. The cherry character sticks around, but it turns towards tart/sour, and less candied as the wine takes on air. Some lovely fresh raspberry aromas round out the fruit-driven profile, which compliments a plethora of leathery, earthy, and herbaceous (sage? mint?) smells.

Age has lightened the body to a medium-minus. Tannins are nearly all gone. Acidity is wonderfully high. Flavors of sour cherries and pomegranates along with an herbal bitterness lead in the mouth. Plenty of that leather and dusty quality that I picked up on the nose. There is a reasonable level of complexity, though nothing that will knock your socks off.

Overall, a very good wine that has done well for nearly 30 years. It has aged nicely, but age did not take it to the high peak that some fine Riojas can reach. It is very good, though probably not going to get any better- the loss of tannin and leathery flavors indicate to me that this is probably going to start on the backslope sooner rather than later. I'd happily drink this any day, though not sure if I'd want to be the one paying- these older Gran Reserva Riojas from good vintages are getting expensive! Personally, I'd pay a bit more and get Lopez de Heredia or Ygay.

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