Still apparent oak, but lovely bottle, with red and black cherry fruit accented with spice and leather. Powerful compared to preceding wine, but not heavy. A-
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Sweet'n'sour palate again like most of these Rioja, with plenty of dill and lemony acids. This has a silky smooth attack, one of the most resolved palates of the night with great layers of spicy fruit to go with the terrific acidity. Stacked with fruit and flavor compared to some of the more delicate wines on the table. Would be my favorite perhaps, except that it still has a super oaky nose, borderline too woody for me. Hence, hard to rate: 94-95 pt palate, maybe 88-90 pt bouquet.
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3rd LRA Tasting Event of the Q4 (Enoteca Barolo - Madrid): Initially smell like vomiting. With time and a good shake shows the typical aromas of marzipan, with prunes and pine nuts. All very Christmassy. Violet candy box. Fresh and delicious. The palate is very light and spacious. Easy companion to a Partagás vitola Julieta. I'd wish so...
Inicialmente huele a devuelto. Con tiempo y un buen jarreo aparecen los típicos aromas a mazapán, a ciruelas pasas y a piñones. Todo muy navideño. Caja de caramelos de violetas. Fresco y delicioso. En boca es muy ligero y amplio. Fácil acompañante a un Partagás vitola Julieta.
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The bouquet was remarkably pretty and alluring with dried red fruits, savory mushroom, crushed stone, and minerals. On the palate, it was taut but with a vibrant pulse of acidity with flavors of herbal red berries and chalky minerality. Inner floral tones and spice lingered on the finish, as remnants of acidity buzzed on the finish.
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Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 vertical 1964-2001 and a bonus from 50s: (From magnum) Clear, ruby colour, very little of that brownish hue, but meniscus is clear. Fresh, light nose of spices, smoked meats and tar as well as rosemary and bay leaves. Berries. tomato, metallic palate, very lean. From a smaller tasting glass it was more concentrated and better. It was either mildly corked or just somehow closed, not sure. I expected much more from this magnum.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Els12golafres Wine Tasting Group: http://vinosclasicos.blogspot.com.es/2013/06/la-rioja-alta-904-gran-reserva-1982.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Se nota la añada y de qué manera. La estabilidad del color e intensidad así lo atestiguan. Rubí granatoso de capa media-alta, reflejos rojizos y ambarinos, brillante, limpio. Ribete anaranjado con diferencias marcadas con el menisco. Lágrimas gruesas, permanentes, bastante sensación de grosor.
Una exhibición de clasicismo riojano, de crianza de toda la vida. Un 904 potente, abierto, comunicativo, con una gran expresión de todas las virtudes que han hecho grande a los vinos de La Rioja Alta. Se funden las duelas envinadas y la fruta roja en confitura, tomates secos, ultra-especiado, con notas escarchadas, crema pastelera, bollería, pimienta ahumada, y unos balsámicos acéticos, arrope, azúcar caramelizado, llegando a la encina quemada, carbón vegetal. Qué paleta!! Muy poderoso y sin dejar de exhalar finura: maderas exóticas, granos de café, ralladura de cítricos.
En boca aúna viveza y finura a la par. Similar al 904 de 1975, graso, con fuerte acidez, frescor, muy sabroso: cítricos dulces, apuntes especiados y picantes, fruta roja en sazón, especiados, amargosos y maderas cremosas. Los taninos son dulces, aterciopelados, destelleando energía y vigor. Permanece en boca indefinidamente con toda esa fruta confitada. Qué vinazo!!!!
Wine Info - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 85% tempranillo, 15% mazuelo y graciano - 12.5% vol. Una parte de la tempranillo proviene de los viñedos propios más viejos ubicados en subzona de la Rioja Alta, principalmente de los municipios de Ollauri, Rodezno y Cenicero. El resto de la mazuelo y graciano de las fincas Melchorón I y II de Briones y Rodezno. Una pequeña parte del ensamblaje era comprada, después de una selección de uvas de los mejores majuelos de los productores locales, con la condición de contener el azúcar suficiente para producir un 12% de alcohol como mínimo y sin mezcla de uvas blancas.
Selección de uvas a su llegada a la bodega. Permanece 6 meses en los grandes tinos de roble centenario fundacionales de la bodega, de madera gris, donde completa la fermentación malolática y se estabiliza. Criado en barricas de roble americano de 225 litros durante un mínimo de 60 meses, con un total de 10 trasiegas manuales para eliminar los posos y oxigenarse levemente. Embotellado en marzo de 1988. Un mínimo de 42 meses de guarda en botellero antes de ser comercializado. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Chicago Rotating Dinner Series - March 2014 (Aged Rioja) (Paris Club - Chicago, IL): Hard to beat the aromatics on this wine. Lots of cherry, earth, and dried tobacco on the nose with an unsurprisingly fresh feeling when drank alongside many wines 15+ years older. The depth of the wine really stood out to me. Very rich and dark while remaining lithe, layered, and complex. Wonderful.
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85% Tempranillo with the rest Graciano and Mazuelo. Medium garnet colour and what a difference in style compared to the 1982 Beronia. This shows a medicinal core followed by medlar and iodine in opulence. Well poised and supple with additional layers of tobacco and licorice apparent on the palate.
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At Roberson's Old Rioja Night. Contended for WOTN. 30 years, but so young. Loads of fruit and wood, with some ether on the finish. This will develop very nicely over years.
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Old Rioja - A Walkabout Tasting (Roberson Wine): Very little sign of age, perhaps a slight drop in colour. Very berry nose. Sweet fruit, subtle rather than bold in the middle palate, good length.
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The nose is lovely, not surprisingly much more developed than the 01 alongside it with aromas of smoke, tobacco leather and vanilla with the lightest touch of sweet fruit. Almost tarry at points it has a lightness of texture but full flavours of old leather and cigar smoke. The finish is very long, filled with spicy sweet red fruits. Very lovely indeed.
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I think this was one of the first old Riojas I ever drank. Lovely tawny colour with some orange in the core. Orange peel and caramel on the nose. Lovely pure and elegant on the palate. Really light and fine. Excellent . (96) At BBR Spanish Gold tasting.
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Tawny brownish color, with clear rim. THe nose is not as smoky as the first bottle. Aromas of coffee and tobacco, reminiscent of a fine La Mission. Palate is very balanced with good acidity buffering the natural sweetness. Good mid-palate intensity. Very delicate flavors reminds one of a good mature Burgundy.
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Still very young and lively. Classic Rioja nose of smoke, roast meats, vanilla and spices. Acidity is a bit prominent at first, but mid-palate is full and balanced.
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1/17/2020 - DaleW wrote:
Still apparent oak, but lovely bottle, with red and black cherry fruit accented with spice and leather. Powerful compared to preceding wine, but not heavy. A-
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1/15/2020 - blanquito wrote:
Sweet'n'sour palate again like most of these Rioja, with plenty of dill and lemony acids. This has a silky smooth attack, one of the most resolved palates of the night with great layers of spicy fruit to go with the terrific acidity. Stacked with fruit and flavor compared to some of the more delicate wines on the table. Would be my favorite perhaps, except that it still has a super oaky nose, borderline too woody for me. Hence, hard to rate: 94-95 pt palate, maybe 88-90 pt bouquet.
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10/25/2018 - Paul D wrote: 91 Points
Trip to Rioja - Angie's 50th; 10/24/2018-10/26/2018 (Haro and surrounding area): At El Terete, Haro. Developed nose, leather, dried fruit, touch of tobacco. Medium bodied on the palate, fully resolved tannins, flashes of underlying red fruit, some richness and body, fresh acidity, good length harmonious finish.
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1/20/2017 - AV2012 wrote: 89 Points
From magnum - quite a lot of leather, smoke and dried fruits. Light and elegant, but also somewhat closed. A timid and intravert wine.
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12/12/2015 - elledeca wrote:
La Rioja Alta GR 904 (Brussels): Very transparent, brown, dried leaves, leather, liquorice. Very nice.
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12/3/2015 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
3rd LRA Tasting Event of the Q4 (Enoteca Barolo - Madrid): Initially smell like vomiting. With time and a good shake shows the typical aromas of marzipan, with prunes and pine nuts. All very Christmassy. Violet candy box. Fresh and delicious.
The palate is very light and spacious. Easy companion to a Partagás vitola Julieta. I'd wish so...
Inicialmente huele a devuelto. Con tiempo y un buen jarreo aparecen los típicos aromas a mazapán, a ciruelas pasas y a piñones. Todo muy navideño. Caja de caramelos de violetas. Fresco y delicioso.
En boca es muy ligero y amplio. Fácil acompañante a un Partagás vitola Julieta.
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9/13/2015 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 95 Points
The bouquet was remarkably pretty and alluring with dried red fruits, savory mushroom, crushed stone, and minerals. On the palate, it was taut but with a vibrant pulse of acidity with flavors of herbal red berries and chalky minerality. Inner floral tones and spice lingered on the finish, as remnants of acidity buzzed on the finish.
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11/17/2014 - AV2012 wrote: 88 Points
Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 vertical 1964-2001 and a bonus from 50s: (From magnum) Clear, ruby colour, very little of that brownish hue, but meniscus is clear. Fresh, light nose of spices, smoked meats and tar as well as rosemary and bay leaves. Berries. tomato, metallic palate, very lean. From a smaller tasting glass it was more concentrated and better. It was either mildly corked or just somehow closed, not sure. I expected much more from this magnum.
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3/25/2014 - Los 12 Glotones Likes this wine: 95 Points
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Els12golafres Wine Tasting Group: http://vinosclasicos.blogspot.com.es/2013/06/la-rioja-alta-904-gran-reserva-1982.html
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Se nota la añada y de qué manera. La estabilidad del color e intensidad así lo atestiguan. Rubí granatoso de capa media-alta, reflejos rojizos y ambarinos, brillante, limpio. Ribete anaranjado con diferencias marcadas con el menisco. Lágrimas gruesas, permanentes, bastante sensación de grosor.
Una exhibición de clasicismo riojano, de crianza de toda la vida. Un 904 potente, abierto, comunicativo, con una gran expresión de todas las virtudes que han hecho grande a los vinos de La Rioja Alta. Se funden las duelas envinadas y la fruta roja en confitura, tomates secos, ultra-especiado, con notas escarchadas, crema pastelera, bollería, pimienta ahumada, y unos balsámicos acéticos, arrope, azúcar caramelizado, llegando a la encina quemada, carbón vegetal. Qué paleta!! Muy poderoso y sin dejar de exhalar finura: maderas exóticas, granos de café, ralladura de cítricos.
En boca aúna viveza y finura a la par. Similar al 904 de 1975, graso, con fuerte acidez, frescor, muy sabroso: cítricos dulces, apuntes especiados y picantes, fruta roja en sazón, especiados, amargosos y maderas cremosas. Los taninos son dulces, aterciopelados, destelleando energía y vigor. Permanece en boca indefinidamente con toda esa fruta confitada. Qué vinazo!!!!
Wine Info - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
85% tempranillo, 15% mazuelo y graciano - 12.5% vol.
Una parte de la tempranillo proviene de los viñedos propios más viejos ubicados en subzona de la Rioja Alta, principalmente de los municipios de Ollauri, Rodezno y Cenicero. El resto de la mazuelo y graciano de las fincas Melchorón I y II de Briones y Rodezno. Una pequeña parte del ensamblaje era comprada, después de una selección de uvas de los mejores majuelos de los productores locales, con la condición de contener el azúcar suficiente para producir un 12% de alcohol como mínimo y sin mezcla de uvas blancas.
Selección de uvas a su llegada a la bodega. Permanece 6 meses en los grandes tinos de roble centenario fundacionales de la bodega, de madera gris, donde completa la fermentación malolática y se estabiliza. Criado en barricas de roble americano de 225 litros durante un mínimo de 60 meses, con un total de 10 trasiegas manuales para eliminar los posos y oxigenarse levemente. Embotellado en marzo de 1988. Un mínimo de 42 meses de guarda en botellero antes de ser comercializado.
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3/18/2014 - tooch wrote: 94 Points
Chicago Rotating Dinner Series - March 2014 (Aged Rioja) (Paris Club - Chicago, IL): Hard to beat the aromatics on this wine. Lots of cherry, earth, and dried tobacco on the nose with an unsurprisingly fresh feeling when drank alongside many wines 15+ years older. The depth of the wine really stood out to me. Very rich and dark while remaining lithe, layered, and complex. Wonderful.
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10/25/2013 - Umay Ceviker wrote: 92 Points
85% Tempranillo with the rest Graciano and Mazuelo. Medium garnet colour and what a difference in style compared to the 1982 Beronia. This shows a medicinal core followed by medlar and iodine in opulence. Well poised and supple with additional layers of tobacco and licorice apparent on the palate.
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10/25/2013 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 93 Points
At Roberson's Old Rioja Night. Contended for WOTN. 30 years, but so young. Loads of fruit and wood, with some ether on the finish. This will develop very nicely over years.
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10/24/2013 - hadwin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Old Rioja - A Walkabout Tasting (Roberson Wine): Very little sign of age, perhaps a slight drop in colour. Very berry nose. Sweet fruit, subtle rather than bold in the middle palate, good length.
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4/30/2013 - henrygjeffreys wrote:
n - musty, VA, leather, mould
light, v. long
t. sherried
layers of almonds
pale brick colour
very mature and delicate
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4/18/2013 - Biggsy wrote: 94 Points
The nose is lovely, not surprisingly much more developed than the 01 alongside it with aromas of smoke, tobacco leather and vanilla with the lightest touch of sweet fruit. Almost tarry at points it has a lightness of texture but full flavours of old leather and cigar smoke. The finish is very long, filled with spicy sweet red fruits. Very lovely indeed.
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10/30/2012 - rayq wrote: 96 Points
I think this was one of the first old Riojas I ever drank.
Lovely tawny colour with some orange in the core. Orange peel and caramel on the nose. Lovely pure and elegant on the palate. Really light and fine. Excellent . (96)
At BBR Spanish Gold tasting.
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7/17/2012 - sarlyb wrote: 98 Points
What a nose! Needs time to develop its palette but amazing
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9/20/2011 - adrianywu wrote: 94 Points
Tawny brownish color, with clear rim. THe nose is not as smoky as the first bottle. Aromas of coffee and tobacco, reminiscent of a fine La Mission. Palate is very balanced with good acidity buffering the natural sweetness. Good mid-palate intensity. Very delicate flavors reminds one of a good mature Burgundy.
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5/27/2011 - adrianywu wrote: 92 Points
Still very young and lively. Classic Rioja nose of smoke, roast meats, vanilla and spices. Acidity is a bit prominent at first, but mid-palate is full and balanced.
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