Quite swampy initially and indeed, it never ceased to drink "older" than I expected from a Gran Riserva from strong vintage. Still, this was a very nice, mature Rioja. Probably as good as it gets for this middle of the pack producer.
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Light to mid ruby color with mild bricking from the age. Mix of alcohol and light fruit on the nose still quite pleasant. Palate is less pleasant, somewhat degenerated. Now old oak and acid dominated, with a little prune fruit in the background. Not objectionable but well over its prime, although i see comments from nearly 10 years ago saying the same thing, makes me wonder.
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Rioja Montecillo in Magum Tasting (Bodega Santa Cecilia - Madrid): Tempranillo and carignan with French oak at 80%. Initially it smells like vomit. With air some notes muffled of acid tomato and glue. Wooden wardrobe of grandma's house. On the palate shows a certain itch like rotten blue cheese thenbefore acidity. It was the winery's favorite vintage. Can't believe it.
Tempranillo con mazuelo en roble francés en un 80%. Inicialmente huele a vómito. Con aire unas notas apagadas a tomate ácido y a pegamento. Madera de armario de la casa de la abuela. Al paladar se nota un cierto picor como de queso azul podrido antes que la acidez. Fue la añada preferida de la enóloga de la bodega.
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This was a highly touted wine, that fell completely short. Most likely my fault for not drinking it in a timely fashion. Did not stand up well to cellaring for as long as I had laid it down. Ended up pouring most of it down the drain. Disappointing.
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Amazingly still good for a bottle this age and modest quality. Gamy and meaty with some fruit left. Tannins all but gone but not austere or lean. Very surprising and enjoyed it greatly.
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I found this bottle in my cleear and wondered what it would taste like after so many years. I was pleasantly surprised. The wine after opening was quite nice. Smooth fruit with a long finish. It probably is over its prime but still good.
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A lovely peaty nose with hints of violets and cinnamon. A slight strawberry fruit component to complex tea, cedar and tobacco leaf notes. Well balanced and drinking wonderfully right now. Outstanding.
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There's fairly sweet black fruit on the nose, along with lots of integrated oak. Nicely integrated palate. Works well, but isn't thrilling me I'm afraid.
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Lovely nose, only a hint of brownish at the edge, hard to believe the T held out so well. On the palate a fair amount of fruit and cedar, tannins all softened into a delightful mouthful
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Another beautiful bottle of this wine. Benefits from a decant and a bit of air. The oak is now well integrated, the tannins are their but the whole wine has a very polished feel, with still young tasting fruit. Should be no rush to drink well stored bottles of this, and I will hold my last bottle for a few more years. These were a great value for the $15(?) paid.
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Blind home wine tasting: Tasting this as the first bottle in the tasting and it pleasantly surprised me. Nice light chalky bouquet but not much fruit. Good tannins and a light brown edge. However, after tasting the balance of the wines, this was thin by comparison and a short finish with a lightly acidic body.
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This bottle showed beautifully. Still youthfull and a little tight at first, it opened up after another hour or so and was just beautiful. The oak is now very integrated and secondary charactaristics are starting to come forward. No rush to consume my final bottles - though I have noticed a fair amount of bottle variation in these.
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Brownish red in color. Huge fruity nose with berries, pleasant acidity with blackberries on the palate, 30 second finish. Probably was time to drink this one. A very good testament to Tempranillo's aging ability. A very nice wine, too bad this was my last bottle.
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Decanted for about an hour. Really opened up. Lovely berry on the nose with hints of leather and tobacco typical of Temprenillo. Smooth on the palate with layers of fruit. This was very good, but I don't think it would have held together much longer.
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Had not been properly stored. Cork was wet. Unremarkable flavor, but yet, not over the hill. I suspect if this wine had been properly cared for, it would have run on a few more years. Frest berry flavors, medium acidity.
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The last of six bottles that I purchased on release for $23/each. As usual, the cork was almost soaked through to the top. Upon opening, there were some lovely blackberry and leather aromas, but they quickly faded out. This wine peaked about three years ago. It exhibits only faint echoes of the luscious chocolate-tinged black cherry/raspberry fruit it once possessed. Its supple texture has given way to a thinner, more acidic profile - especially on the finish. Still decent with food (in this case paella), but I'm glad I have drank up my stash.
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This wine now has a brick red color and is medium in body. Aromas of cedar and game lead the cherry fruit. Light to medium in body with noticible acidity.
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2nd time I have had this wine. This Temperanillo based wine had an earth and mushroom nose. Dry on the palate and despite a Frankie Goes to Hollywood flair, it had a dull or flat taste. Sweet berry notes. 88 points.
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3/16/2024 - AudunG wrote: flawed
Tired, and barely alive.
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10/26/2023 - VDLT Wine Likes this wine:
Quite swampy initially and indeed, it never ceased to drink "older" than I expected from a Gran Riserva from strong vintage. Still, this was a very nice, mature Rioja. Probably as good as it gets for this middle of the pack producer.
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6/7/2021 - AussieRoddy wrote: 82 Points
Light to mid ruby color with mild bricking from the age. Mix of alcohol and light fruit on the nose still quite pleasant. Palate is less pleasant, somewhat degenerated. Now old oak and acid dominated, with a little prune fruit in the background. Not objectionable but well over its prime, although i see comments from nearly 10 years ago saying the same thing, makes me wonder.
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7/27/2019 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Maturing well. Dark fruit, spice and enough acidity to make the first guesses come in at Italy.
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2/23/2017 - Harley1199 wrote:
Rioja Montecillo in Magum Tasting (Bodega Santa Cecilia - Madrid): Tempranillo and carignan with French oak at 80%.
Initially it smells like vomit. With air some notes muffled of acid tomato and glue. Wooden wardrobe of grandma's house.
On the palate shows a certain itch like rotten blue cheese thenbefore acidity. It was the winery's favorite vintage. Can't believe it.
Tempranillo con mazuelo en roble francés en un 80%.
Inicialmente huele a vómito. Con aire unas notas apagadas a tomate ácido y a pegamento. Madera de armario de la casa de la abuela.
Al paladar se nota un cierto picor como de queso azul podrido antes que la acidez. Fue la añada preferida de la enóloga de la bodega.
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12/30/2015 - BurwoodGeo Likes this wine: 88 Points
Really enjoyed this wine. Somewhat surprised it held up so well. Nice fruit, good tannins. I don't think it will last until 2020.
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10/26/2014 - Bakeman Does not like this wine: 75 Points
Poured Out. Way past prime. Might have spoiled, but no signs of problems. This does not age.
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12/31/2013 - Spl232 Does not like this wine: 82 Points
over the hill. heavy bricking and flat/stewed fruit on the palate. drinkable but not interesting.
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11/27/2013 - Bakeman Does not like this wine: 75 Points
This was a highly touted wine, that fell completely short. Most likely my fault for not drinking it in a timely fashion. Did not stand up well to cellaring for as long as I had laid it down. Ended up pouring most of it down the drain. Disappointing.
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5/13/2013 - shirazity wrote: 87 Points
Amazingly still good for a bottle this age and modest quality. Gamy and meaty with some fruit left. Tannins all but gone but not austere or lean. Very surprising and enjoyed it greatly.
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8/26/2012 - zovizule wrote:
Last bottle. Still beautiful - opened about 2 hours ahead, no decant. Started to fade after about hour 4.
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6/4/2012 - andtheodor wrote: 89 Points
Cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, leather nose. Zippy acidity, bit of old acetic barrel funk, but pretty fresh and classic.
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5/19/2012 - jmottern wrote: 86 Points
I found this bottle in my cleear and wondered what it would taste like after so many years. I was pleasantly surprised. The wine after opening was quite nice. Smooth fruit with a long finish. It probably is over its prime but still good.
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12/24/2011 - mygrogro wrote: 88 Points
pleasant, smokey, chaw
drink now
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9/25/2011 - jackal4eva wrote: flawed
Unfortunately this was not stored well or I waited too long....
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2/5/2011 - wineward Likes this wine: 91 Points
A lovely peaty nose with hints of violets and cinnamon. A slight strawberry fruit component to complex tea, cedar and tobacco leaf notes. Well balanced and drinking wonderfully right now. Outstanding.
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1/1/2011 - mygrogro wrote: 91 Points
smokey taste classic rioja
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9/25/2010 - bdmonteiro wrote:
Waited too long ... it was corked! I decanted it, waited for 3 hours ... still corked! :(
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9/18/2010 - cab blends Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Blind home wine tasting with MOT Scoring sheet: Light earthy bouquet but acidic and thinning.
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8/28/2010 - cab blends wrote: 84 Points
Blind home wine tasting with MOT Scoring sheet (All wines decanted for 2 hours): Light bronze color and nice floral nose. Smooth but acid leaves a hotish acidic finish on the palate.
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3/26/2010 - andrewstevenson.com wrote: 87 Points
There's fairly sweet black fruit on the nose, along with lots of integrated oak. Nicely integrated palate. Works well, but isn't thrilling me I'm afraid.
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1/16/2010 - jmcmchi wrote: 90 Points
Lovely nose, only a hint of brownish at the edge, hard to believe the T held out so well. On the palate a fair amount of fruit and cedar, tannins all softened into a delightful mouthful
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9/5/2009 - zovizule wrote:
Another beautiful bottle of this wine. Benefits from a decant and a bit of air. The oak is now well integrated, the tannins are their but the whole wine has a very polished feel, with still young tasting fruit. Should be no rush to drink well stored bottles of this, and I will hold my last bottle for a few more years. These were a great value for the $15(?) paid.
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3/4/2009 - rremiker wrote: 87 Points
Smooth and silky, drinking very nicely early in 2009
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1/7/2009 - jrf wrote:
Waited too long on this one. only a little flabby fruit left
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11/15/2008 - cab blends wrote: 84 Points
Blind home wine tasting: Tasting this as the first bottle in the tasting and it pleasantly surprised me. Nice light chalky bouquet but not much fruit. Good tannins and a light brown edge. However, after tasting the balance of the wines, this was thin by comparison and a short finish with a lightly acidic body.
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9/21/2008 - zovizule wrote:
This bottle showed beautifully. Still youthfull and a little tight at first, it opened up after another hour or so and was just beautiful. The oak is now very integrated and secondary charactaristics are starting to come forward. No rush to consume my final bottles - though I have noticed a fair amount of bottle variation in these.
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2/18/2008 - davergny wrote: flawed
Just awful. Hopefully this was flawed.
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12/29/2007 - markcvino wrote: 94 Points
Brownish red in color. Huge fruity nose with berries, pleasant acidity with blackberries on the palate, 30 second finish. Probably was time to drink this one. A very good testament to Tempranillo's aging ability. A very nice wine, too bad this was my last bottle.
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12/24/2007 - ChasDSM wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for about an hour. Really opened up. Lovely berry on the nose with hints of leather and tobacco typical of Temprenillo. Smooth on the palate with layers of fruit. This was very good, but I don't think it would have held together much longer.
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12/16/2007 - roberog wrote: 90 Points
Great. Make sure to let it warm up. Nice nose and delicate on the palate. Lots of cedar. Drink now or really soon.
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12/6/2007 - jmh st louis wrote: 85 Points
acidic with no fruit left, still some earth. Past its time
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9/20/2007 - Palm Beach Glenn wrote: 80 Points
Had not been properly stored. Cork was wet. Unremarkable flavor, but yet, not over the hill. I suspect if this wine had been properly cared for, it would have run on a few more years. Frest berry flavors, medium acidity.
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4/1/2007 - roberog wrote: 89 Points
Good but needs to be warmed up and to decant. Needs to breath for a while. Little on the fruit side.
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3/3/2005 - bigboyiroo wrote:
nice
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10/30/2004 - otisabdul wrote: 85 Points
The last of six bottles that I purchased on release for $23/each. As usual, the cork was almost soaked through to the top. Upon opening, there were some lovely blackberry and leather aromas, but they quickly faded out. This wine peaked about three years ago. It exhibits only faint echoes of the luscious chocolate-tinged black cherry/raspberry fruit it once possessed. Its supple texture has given way to a thinner, more acidic profile - especially on the finish. Still decent with food (in this case paella), but I'm glad I have drank up my stash.
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7/16/2004 - Tom_B wrote: 90 Points
This wine now has a brick red color and is medium in body. Aromas of cedar and game lead the cherry fruit. Light to medium in body with noticible acidity.
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2/6/2003 - Vino Me wrote: 88 Points
2nd time I have had this wine. This Temperanillo based wine had an earth and mushroom nose. Dry on the palate and despite a Frankie Goes to Hollywood flair, it had a dull or flat taste. Sweet berry notes. 88 points.
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8/6/2002 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
Good legs. Full rich fruit. Med/long finish. Drinking very well now. 89-91.
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