A still fresh red cherry fruit palate with medium body, earth, and spice, matched with enough structure to enjoy it all. Not notably complex, yet delicious; a simple pleasure to drink.
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Rioja wines tasting (at my home): clear, deep opaque purple clean, medium intensity of dark prunes and black cherries, light spicy notes, leather, oak-vanilla, smoked meaty hints dry, high acidity, high tannins, full body, well balanced, medium structured, lean complexity, long finish, ready to drink though can age 5-15 years more
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beginning to evolve. Fruit remains fresh. Fine tannins and tobacco notes. Medium body in mouth despite being Gran Reserva. Would have thought bigger but really... just right. Very nice. Lots of years left for the 398 bottles still in Cellartracker cellars.
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Still really young, wasn't expecting that from such a low prices bottle. Still good, decanted for an hour, could have used two. Drank with manchego and sweet peppers.
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With a deep purple color that shows some age, this rather modern Rioja shows a lot of fruit but it is not overbearing. The nose offers Blackberry, licorice, mushroom, and a hint of tobacco. The palate develops as it sits in the glass: blackberry, cherry, chocolate, soil, mushroom, hints of tobacco, and some vegetal notes. It finishes with medium length and lingering cinnamon and spices. It is a delicious wine with low acidity and low/medium tannins and pairs well with rich stews such as an Spanish oxtail dish.
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Opened two hours before serving as part of 2004 Rioja Reserva and Gran Reserva tasting.
Purple opaque with a garnet rim. Feint woody nose. Medium weight with grippy tannins. Dried out a bit with blackberry fruit. Short finish but gains with additional air. A bit disappointing for the price.
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85/15 Tempranillo/Graciano,Grenache. Meaty nose shows game, earth, dried black plum, sour blackberry, dried vanilla. Palate has big structure but also appoachable, some spice in there, oak treatment is integrated nicely, little more of a drink now than some Gran Reservas that might need to wait a long time. Modern style.
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Very secondary scents of vanilla, licorice and wood chips. Fading fast fruit supported by a frail lattice of oak. This is on its last legs and needs to be drunk soon. Not enough substance to last this long but just enough length to substantiate.
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Meat evening at Rishon LeZion farm (Tamar & Avi (Arnoldo's patient)): color: dark transparent red-black-brown nose: ripe fruits with dusty-rocky notes palate: full bodied, firm tannins, good acidity level, nice harmony, fruity flavours, med finish, typical traditional Rioja, still young and has nice ageing potential.
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Medium ruby. Sweet and attractive nose of all kinds of berries alongside sweet spices, florality and sweet tobacco. Medium-bodied with soft tannins, bright fruit, balancing acidity and a long aftertaste. Already enjoyable with great aging potential.
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C: Black with some brownish red on the edges. N: Forest fruits, oak, warm saddle, peppered meat. P: Mellow, smooth, lots of fruit. Full mouthfeel with no obtrusive oak. Warm plums, compote. Nice acidity. No spices or vanilla, very fruit forward. Unfortunately a bit short on the finish. O: Lovely big wine at a prime point for drinking. 92-93
Tasted at Wine & View, Helsinki Airport
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Kypsyy vielä. Avaa seuraava pullo 2016. Paranee auetessa. Keskivoimakkat tanniinit. Paksuhko ja miellyttävä maku. Pitkä jälkimaku. Potentiaalinen. Sopisi jo nyt mehevien ja täyteläisten liharuokien kanssa. Nauta / karitsa. Paranee varmasti ikäännyttyä!
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Class in a glass. Modern style GR without meaty texture of 2005 Reserva. Finishes with that classic mellowness with power, dripping with wild strawberry and red plum fruits.
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'Old vines' and apparently 100% Tempranillo. Ripe and herb, med tannin and med acid. Great balance. The palate isn't loaded down with obtrusive new oak. A freshness for Gran Reserva. Very nice. I try the basic so often, but trying this wine offers a very positive new perspective of this producer.
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Bottle decanted for 3.5 hrs. Fruity nose, red cherry and sweet palate. Further improve with time. Very good wine with this price. Will expect more with few more years of cellaring.
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Hmm. Reticent and subdued nose of plum, vanilla and expresso despite being decanted for 1.5 hours. Good grip with firm tannin and minty finish. ? Closed even after 9 years. Revisit in couple years. Addendum, after 3 hours, the bouquet is finally opening up gaining in complexity with cedary and delicious plummy notes.
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Nose with oak and whiskey notes fading to earthy florals. Surprisingly light to medium tannins and moderate acidity, with pleasant blueberry palate. Complex, but not extremely full or overbearing.
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Wine Education Service - Rioja - Gran Reserva (LSE): Intense colour, opaque, a little age. Slightly reserved nose, a bit waxy, animal, a hint of fruit, promising a lot. Fruity, quite tannic, liquorice, tobacco, very complex, smooth mid palate, a fresh feel, quite long.
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Deep ruby fading to a narrow granet rim. Concentrated nose of mulberries, blackberries, soya and lots of oak. Velvety and full bodied with round acidity and chocolatey finish. A modern, oaky GR needing time to integrate, still of high quality.
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Nose is a very rich black berry with a little spice. Even freshly uncorked it e Was nice and smooth nose. Taste is also a very nice smooth black berry, with leather and eatery flavors. Finish is very nice and smooth berry. Very nice wine but the price is higher then others in this category. If you can get it on sale this is a very great wine.
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Not vastly impressive this wine. Modern style. Benefits from decanting and minimum 2 hours opening before drinking. Leafs and red fruits. Better value in the Crianza 2008 at 7,99 euro in The Netherlands (PLUS).
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Medium ruby-garnet, slow moving tears (14% abv). Medium developed aromas of tobacco, cocoa, cinnamon, red cherries, oak. Dry, medium(+) acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, medium body. Flavours of ripe cherries, sweetness of sultanas, chocolate, tobacco. Well balanced, nice mouthfeel, well integrated and medium(+) length with pleasant fruit bitterness and dry finish. Cellar a few more years.
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Clamped shut at the moment. Excellent depth of fruit and the tannic structure, whist unobstrusive, has the guts to let the fruit mature quite happily over 10 years+. The problem was that right now the fruit is quite dumb - some notes of liqourice and black fruit but little else. Give it time. Should be very good. A steal at £17
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5/9/2022 - iMustWine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bordeaux-isk with a hint of ripe red and blue fruits.
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8/18/2021 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really enjoyable rioja. Probably a bit too young! Really needs a couple years to determine where it is going.
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7/16/2021 - Ridgerunner Likes this wine: 93 Points
I find this bottle very promising... in its youth! What I could last in it was a promise of things developing.
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1/28/2021 - acheng wrote:
Typical Rioja with cedary and coconut oak. Nice and savoury but went downhill very quickly on day 2. Drink now.
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9/29/2019 - kkleg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bordeaux-like nose, showing lots of cedar and cherry. Lots of cherry on the palate, with nice hints of vanilla. This will last 5+ years easily.
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2/27/2019 - bmcculloch wrote: 90 Points
Cork disintegrated and rim of bottle broke but drank fine after filtering (used coffee filter).
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9/15/2018 - GQG Likes this wine: 90 Points
A still fresh red cherry fruit palate with medium body, earth, and spice, matched with enough structure to enjoy it all. Not notably complex, yet delicious; a simple pleasure to drink.
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5/27/2018 - franm Likes this wine: 91 Points
cheers - wow....2004 was an exceptional year, and this wine drinks way bigger than its price tag....delicious Rioja!
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1/30/2018 - Yagil wrote: 89 Points
Rioja wines tasting (at my home): clear, deep opaque purple
clean, medium intensity of dark prunes and black cherries, light spicy notes, leather, oak-vanilla, smoked meaty hints
dry, high acidity, high tannins, full body, well balanced, medium structured, lean complexity, long finish, ready to drink though can age 5-15 years more
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1/1/2018 - brendanm26 wrote: 86 Points
Silky but somewhat flat. Sadly past its prime.
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5/9/2017 - Pfleonard Likes this wine: 91 Points
beginning to evolve. Fruit remains fresh. Fine tannins and tobacco notes. Medium body in mouth despite being Gran Reserva. Would have thought bigger but really... just right. Very nice. Lots of years left for the 398 bottles still in Cellartracker cellars.
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11/5/2016 - BcDuncan wrote: 91 Points
lovely wine, great flavour still, very smooth, classic Rioja; aged perfectly
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6/8/2016 - Yagil wrote: 89 Points
value for money, basic Rioja
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1/1/2016 - BordFan Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still very good but open soon as I do believe this one has peaked.
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3/21/2015 - acheng wrote: flawed
This bottle seems off. Cork? Did improve after aeration but fell flat after couple hours.
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11/15/2014 - Dabolts wrote: 91 Points
Still really young, wasn't expecting that from such a low prices bottle. Still good, decanted for an hour, could have used two. Drank with manchego and sweet peppers.
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9/26/2014 - Fat Lips Likes this wine: 90 Points
With a deep purple color that shows some age, this rather modern Rioja shows a lot of fruit but it is not overbearing. The nose offers Blackberry, licorice, mushroom, and a hint of tobacco. The palate develops as it sits in the glass: blackberry, cherry, chocolate, soil, mushroom, hints of tobacco, and some vegetal notes. It finishes with medium length and lingering cinnamon and spices. It is a delicious wine with low acidity and low/medium tannins and pairs well with rich stews such as an Spanish oxtail dish.
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4/5/2014 - df1962 wrote: 89 Points
Opened two hours before serving as part of 2004 Rioja Reserva and Gran Reserva tasting.
Purple opaque with a garnet rim. Feint woody nose. Medium weight with grippy tannins. Dried out a bit with blackberry fruit. Short finish but gains with additional air. A bit disappointing for the price.
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1/24/2014 - acheng wrote: 90 Points
Much more open on this occasion. Just starting to show some aged character. Leather, herbs and hint of vanilla in the background.
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1/21/2014 - GTFreek wrote:
85/15 Tempranillo/Graciano,Grenache. Meaty nose shows game, earth, dried black plum, sour blackberry, dried vanilla. Palate has big structure but also appoachable, some spice in there, oak treatment is integrated nicely, little more of a drink now than some Gran Reservas that might need to wait a long time. Modern style.
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1/12/2014 - neilemc Likes this wine: 87 Points
Very secondary scents of vanilla, licorice and wood chips. Fading fast fruit supported by a frail lattice of oak. This is on its last legs and needs to be drunk soon. Not enough substance to last this long but just enough length to substantiate.
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1/9/2014 - Yagil wrote: 89 Points
Meat evening at Rishon LeZion farm (Tamar & Avi (Arnoldo's patient)): color: dark transparent red-black-brown
nose: ripe fruits with dusty-rocky notes
palate: full bodied, firm tannins, good acidity level, nice harmony, fruity flavours, med finish, typical traditional Rioja, still young and has nice ageing potential.
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12/8/2013 - nickpelletier Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great wine. Started a little to mellow, but still more years ahead.
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11/28/2013 - franm Likes this wine: 91 Points
cheers, loved it.....berries, long finish, great vinatge (2004), worth laying a few down.
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11/16/2013 - Yiannis Likes this wine: 91 Points
Medium ruby. Sweet and attractive nose of all kinds of berries alongside sweet spices, florality and sweet tobacco. Medium-bodied with soft tannins, bright fruit, balancing acidity and a long aftertaste. Already enjoyable with great aging potential.
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11/9/2013 - jmcmchi wrote:
Smoke and leather on nose. Limited palate appeal
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11/9/2013 - dbeer Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nose: smoky and currant
Taste: cherry, dark fruit? And a bit minerally
Coarse mouth feel with a medium finish. Mild tannins.
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10/26/2013 - vancouvermatt wrote: 92 Points
Strong rebuy.
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10/24/2013 - AudunG wrote: 86 Points
Deep and very dark red color. Leather, oak and fruit on the nose. Fruity, sweet, creamy and concentrated in the mouth.
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10/8/2013 - ttuominen wrote: 92 Points
C: Black with some brownish red on the edges.
N: Forest fruits, oak, warm saddle, peppered meat.
P: Mellow, smooth, lots of fruit. Full mouthfeel with no obtrusive oak. Warm plums, compote. Nice acidity. No spices or vanilla, very fruit forward. Unfortunately a bit short on the finish.
O: Lovely big wine at a prime point for drinking. 92-93
Tasted at Wine & View, Helsinki Airport
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7/31/2013 - Monsieur le Comte wrote: 93 Points
a pleasure, modern rioja but elegant and sweet...tasty!
perfect with grilled hamburgers
more of a fruit driven one
wait for at least 4-5 years...
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6/29/2013 - T_Wnuk wrote: 85 Points
Very fruity pleasant finish
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6/7/2013 - teemuskogberg wrote: 89 Points
Kypsyy vielä. Avaa seuraava pullo 2016. Paranee auetessa. Keskivoimakkat tanniinit. Paksuhko ja miellyttävä maku. Pitkä jälkimaku. Potentiaalinen. Sopisi jo nyt mehevien ja täyteläisten liharuokien kanssa. Nauta / karitsa. Paranee varmasti ikäännyttyä!
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3/27/2013 - Henry Miller Likes this wine: 93 Points
Class in a glass. Modern style GR without meaty texture of 2005 Reserva. Finishes with that classic mellowness with power, dripping with wild strawberry and red plum fruits.
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3/26/2013 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Fatter and fuller than I remember it being. Not all that special for around $40.
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3/3/2013 - nzinkgraf wrote:
'Old vines' and apparently 100% Tempranillo. Ripe and herb, med tannin and med acid. Great balance. The palate isn't loaded down with obtrusive new oak. A freshness for Gran Reserva. Very nice. I try the basic so often, but trying this wine offers a very positive new perspective of this producer.
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3/2/2013 - JChan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bottle decanted for 3.5 hrs. Fruity nose, red cherry and sweet palate. Further improve with time. Very good wine with this price. Will expect more with few more years of cellaring.
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3/1/2013 - acheng wrote: 89 Points
Hmm. Reticent and subdued nose of plum, vanilla and expresso despite being decanted for 1.5 hours. Good grip with firm tannin and minty finish. ? Closed even after 9 years. Revisit in couple years.
Addendum, after 3 hours, the bouquet is finally opening up gaining in complexity with cedary and delicious plummy notes.
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2/25/2013 - pablopicasso wrote:
really enjoyed this. ripe berry, vanilla, and chocolate flavors, but did not taste flat. robust and intense finish. modern styled rioja.
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2/1/2013 - tantotinto wrote: 89 Points
Pleasant wine that is fairly priced.
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1/18/2013 - Newval13 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose with oak and whiskey notes fading to earthy florals. Surprisingly light to medium tannins and moderate acidity, with pleasant blueberry palate. Complex, but not extremely full or overbearing.
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12/17/2012 - tendring Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wine Education Service - Rioja - Gran Reserva (LSE): Intense colour, opaque, a little age.
Slightly reserved nose, a bit waxy, animal, a hint of fruit, promising a lot.
Fruity, quite tannic, liquorice, tobacco, very complex, smooth mid palate, a fresh feel, quite long.
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12/17/2012 - hadwin Likes this wine: 88 Points
WES - Rioja Gran Reserva (Imperial College London): Clear and Bright. Quite intense. Oily notes on the nose with intense black fruit. A little closed. Good acidity and deep rich fruit on the palate.
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12/12/2012 - Dokken wrote: 91 Points
Deep ruby fading to a narrow granet rim. Concentrated nose of mulberries, blackberries, soya and lots of oak. Velvety and full bodied with round acidity and chocolatey finish. A modern, oaky GR needing time to integrate, still of high quality.
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11/3/2012 - CarlCP wrote: 89 Points
Nose is a very rich black berry with a little spice. Even freshly uncorked it e
Was nice and smooth nose.
Taste is also a very nice smooth black berry, with leather and eatery flavors.
Finish is very nice and smooth berry.
Very nice wine but the price is higher then others in this category. If you can get it on sale this is a very great wine.
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10/14/2012 - czar33 wrote: 87 Points
Chaud et déséquilibré, une masse de tannins assez durs. Soit faut le laisser vieillir ou l'aérer longuement.
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6/6/2012 - Wijnand Kuijt wrote: 88 Points
Not vastly impressive this wine. Modern style. Benefits from decanting and minimum 2 hours opening before drinking. Leafs and red fruits. Better value in the Crianza 2008 at 7,99 euro in The Netherlands (PLUS).
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5/13/2012 - Barolo Raymond wrote: 89 Points
Medium ruby-garnet, slow moving tears (14% abv). Medium developed aromas of tobacco, cocoa, cinnamon, red cherries, oak. Dry, medium(+) acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, medium body. Flavours of ripe cherries, sweetness of sultanas, chocolate, tobacco. Well balanced, nice mouthfeel, well integrated and medium(+) length with pleasant fruit bitterness and dry finish. Cellar a few more years.
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4/30/2012 - RussK wrote: 90 Points
RussK. Rioja Event at Hotel Intercontinental. 90+
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4/10/2012 - hutch wrote: 88 Points
Shows more maturity. Fine, but not really impressed here. 87-88
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12/11/2011 - pjaines wrote:
Clamped shut at the moment. Excellent depth of fruit and the tannic structure, whist unobstrusive, has the guts to let the fruit mature quite happily over 10 years+. The problem was that right now the fruit is quite dumb - some notes of liqourice and black fruit but little else. Give it time. Should be very good. A steal at £17
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