Rioja (Rincon 38): This bottle was not quite as nice as a bottle 4 years ago, but it was certainly no slouch. Lots cured meats and sulfur in this wine. Black olive, underbrush.
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Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Rincon 38, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour. Drank this next to an excellent '01 Faustino GR. The Valsardo was distinct with even more of a perfume of dried flowers and red fruits coming through, earthy, but it is the cured meats that make it more distinctive. The palate is full and satiny in texture with earth, raspberry and cherry notes mixed with leather, roasted meats and fine tannins. Brad person kept saying it smelled like hot dogs. Not my impression, but clearly had a meaty character to it. This was a little lighter and more lifted than the Faustino and I favored it by just a hair.
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Beautiful cork - so clean after 20 years I had to take a picture. Colour is a deep garnet with minimal bricking. Nose is is leather, mocha and blackberry. Palate is quite racy - very definite acidity with red fruit and plum and a dollop of oak in the background. Soft fine grained tannins and a long refreshing finish. Exceptional quality for the price.
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Another clean cork. Nice garnet colour with a clear rim commensurate with 20 years of age. Nose is earthy with black fruit. Palate is savoury and definitely secondary if not tertiary. Good fruit although fading and nice soft tannins on the long voluptuous finish.
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Clean cork this time with a long long corkscrew. Colour tending towards brick but limpid nonetheless. Great nose of blackberry and leather. Lovely lengthy palate, nice acidity and rounded with a prune d’Agen come fig fruit. Excellent wine.
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Difficult cork ie disintegrated - decanted through a filter. Nice garnet colour - slightly muddy - nose nice saddle notes with black black fruit. Palate smooth black fruit, slightly drying tannin. Great acidity, fruit and long length.
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Auction purchase opened with trepidation despite good fill levels which only increased as the cork crumbled... Need not have worried. Once decanted the wine was bright garnet with a wonderful earthy dark fruit bouquet. On the palate dark fruit with tertiary savoury characteristics more at home on the Left Bank than Valladolid. Sublime long finish - truly a wine to savour.
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absolutely delicious. it's refined and age has done it well... yet it's in no way tired. still plenty of power here, as we found it a little big for the oven-roasted lamb chops we made. looking forward to the last remaining bottle.
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Rioja and Ribero del Duero (Tilia): This was the wine of the night. There was monumental cured meats and sulfur in this wine. Black olive, underbrush. It had the complexity of an aged claret, but a completely different frame to carry it.
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Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Tilia, Mpls): Small taste. I've sung the praised of this wine several times before, so it comes as no surprise to me that this rocked table 2 and was WOTN. For me it was WOTN too with a mini pour. Great stuff, pretty red fruits, mid-weight, earthy, scorched earth, and roasted meat among even more complexity. Love it. 93+ to 94pts.
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At 16 years old, from the great 2001 vintage, a seriously good wine aged 26 months in French oak instead of the cheaper American oak, that is still very dark, fruity, and well integrated, that we were amazed we could still buy years later for $25. Includes 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the blend. Now more smooth and elegant rather than powerful, with no sign of decay or premature aging. Fully enjoyable now without any need to drink up soon.
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Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (The Kenwood, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. Drank 1+ glass over an hour plus. I opened this to check it about 5 hours before the event, and the explosive perfume just wafted out of the bottle. I immediately put the cork back in and left it until just before serving. I have no idea if anyone else even liked this wine, but I absolutely loved it. I've have always been amazed at how good it is. I could smell the nose all day long and be quite happy. The perfume is quite intoxicating, with a plethora of floral scents, leather and a deep earthy funkiness that i love. The fruit goes to the red spectrum, more red raspberry with a bit of tart cherry, and some cigar box. The palate follows the nose, very deep, yet medium bodied, graphite and cigar, fine tannins and very good length. Drinks like great Bordeaux, should have bought even more of these.
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This wine is the perfect mix between Rioja and a modern Ribera del Duero. Great fruit, mid/full weight but great leather, cedar, tobacco and tannins all very nicely layered.
Sadly this was my last bottle
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We like this wine, but I don't think it will keep much longer. Very smoky! Dry with flavors of tobacco and leather with minerals. The wine looks crimson colored. The following notes are from the Tasting Note Assistant on this website: The legs are medium. It smells like rose, black pepper and mineral. It tastes like mineral, black pepper and alcohol/hot. The body is medium. The wine has smooth texture, finishes long, and has medium acidity.
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This is a very interesting wine. The labke says Ribera del Duero but in a blind tasting 1 hr after opening I would have guessed Rioja.
Brown/Red brick color in the glass with aromas of red fruit, oak, leather, expresso and earth. The pallate begins to show the Ribera de Duero richness with a medium/full body mouth feel with red fruit with hints of currants, integrated sweet oak and velvety tannins that lead to a long complex finish. On the second day it the wine had fully open and the typical dark fruit more typical of the RdD began to show withthe sweet velvety tannins still there and a beautiful long finish.
I thought this wine would be in the final stretch, but my last bottle will have to wait for a couple more years. I have a feeling it will be beautiful.
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Don't make the mistake I did by drinking this beauty too quickly after removing from the cooler. It started slowly, cold...muted, cherry flavors, too sweet on the palate. Soon, however, after 30 to 45 minutes of warming, it began to blossom. Black cherry and rose on the nose...with chocolate, rich dark fruit and a sort of smokiness on the tongue. Good structure and tannins give evidence that it could still have more years of life in the cellar, if you have the patience. This wine is a stunner that will show its stuff when you allow it to impress you at the right temperature and after some aeration. A really nice wine that offers great aromas and even better flavor. Maybe a 93...you be the judge.
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Very old world structure. Earth and mineral dominate moreso than most Tempranillo wines. Needs significant air time to open up. This is not your typical temp in structure. Much more substantional, and earthy.
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Once in awhile WTSO comes through. This guys shows his age, but in a distinguished way. After an hour of air....there is some sweet oak, but I find it well integrated and, overall, very enjoyable.
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Pleasant wine. Definitely more old school than new. Mild brett on the nose. Smooth palate with mild and well integrated wet forest floor, black tea, dried red fruits. Drinking very nicely now. May age gracefully for a little while, but not sure.
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Very dark red color. Coravined a 5oz pour and drank over an hour. Wow, this got me pretty riled up. I was hopeful this would be good and man was it. I love the earth and brett on this wine, not too barnyard(y) for me at all, in fact I found it very intoxicating,. This is a great old world nose with the earth and minerals, graphite, potpourri, cassis, tobacco and spice. The palate is nicely textured and has medium full body, elegant and balanced, earthy, cassis, dark cherry cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate, nice silky tannins and a long tobacco leaf infused finish. Parker nailed it on this one. Really nice stuff. Looking forward to revisiting this bottle soon. 93(+?)pts.
Addendum-drank another glass (coravined) on 2/20/15- absolutely as good as the first glass on 2/13/15, loved the silky texture, earth and brett, very nice acidity, cherry and raspberry on the nose with some cassis, the palate has more dark fruits with cassis and dark cherry, less tobacco this time. Nicely complex 93+pts.
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Nose was a little bretty- but only a touch. When tasted, smooth cherry and dried leather flavor. Just a touch of spice and chocolate on the finish as well
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Showing some maturity with a nose of earth, leather and smoked meats. It has a nice texture and a ripe fruit profile of blackberry and cassis framed by oak and acidity. A little harsh on the finish, otherwise would score higher. PnP, may improve overnight.
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Beautiful wine from an outstanding vintage. Rustic with funk, raspberries, cedar notes, spices and vanilla. Medium plus. Day 2 excellent with similar qualities as day one.
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I opened this one yesterday, and as was the case with the previous bottle, the aroma was far too bretty, even for my Brett-tolerant palate. So I poured it into an open pitcher and let it air for about 4 hours, during which time the bretty aroma dissipated. I then poured it back into the bottle and recorked it, and placed it into the fridge.
We drank it tonight as an aperetif, and it was splendid; round, full of a melange of dark fruits, complemented by mocha and faint smoke....just delightful, a well-aged RbD as it ought to be. Great QPR on this one for those equipped to deal with the wine's idiosyncracies. Should have bought more.
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OK, I am changing my recommendation on my May 2014 posting - open the wine and drink immediately. In doing this you can still appreciate its 'wow' factor. Then after 30 minutes it starts to show its age. Drink it all at the same sitting because it doesn't hold up the next day.
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Although I enjoyed this wine, I was not as impressed as some of our colleagues. It was reasonably well-developed (no reason to hold), but the fruit that was present upon opening did not hold up through the bottle.Good bottle, not as great as I hoped it would be. But better on Day 2 (lots).
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Big and bold even at this age. Still retaining some fruit, but the leather and meaty notes are starting to dominate. Long finish, great balance, and a steal of a value.
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Out of the bottle the wine has a very distinct, dominant scorched earth and leather aspect which obscures the fruit. With 2-3 hours of air this wine changed dramatically, with the scorch fading a bit and the fruit emerging a bit. Decanted, this is a really nice wine with a balance of leather, coffee and red fruit. Not much tannin left at all, so time to drink up while this wine is at very late peak. Fun and unique wine and a terrific bargain at $25.
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PnP after wine breather decant, based on previous reviews. My first experience with the wine breather and I think it made a difference. The wine really blossomed after the wine breather and the fruit became much more evident.
Nose of toast, old leather, black cherry and black currant. Palate of pipe tobacco, leather, black cherry, smoke, and a hint of chocolate-covered espresso bean. Amazingly textured mouthfeel and tremendously long finish. Great stuff.
We paired it with a plate fresh fruit (grapes, cherries, strawberries, and blueberries), Manchego, 10 year aged sharp cheddar and Spanish chorizo. Everything went well, especially the Manchego and the cherries, but the cheddar was too much for this (any?) wine.
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Good advice on the decant. I opened before checking CT. First impression--lovely old wine nose with dusty fruit but the age was unmistakable--when initially tasting found it pleasant with dried raspberry and leather but the total lack of tannin suggested past its prime. Enjoyed more and more with the pork chops and now, 1 1/2 hours later, fruit much more present and rich while retaining the secondary leather/mineral notes. Fantastic for the WTSO $25 price.
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Open for 1 or 2 hours (at least!) before you can begin to appreciate it. Upon opening, flavors and nose are musty, dusty, leather, tart cherry pie. After allowing it to open, the wine's fruit starts to become more apparent, and more so on the second day, and the dustiness and leather quiets down! Certainly old world profiles though. Hard to guess at how much longer this wine could last in the bottle.
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At first taste after letting stand in the glass for 30 minutes was - "past its prime - time to drink up" Had one glass and put it in the fridge. next day a little better - the fruit starting to open up a bit. another glass. The third day began to display it hidden trasures. So the next bottle I will decant for perhaps 2 hours and see what happens
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Two hours of air in decanter. Holding up very well. Nose of dust, meat, wood, funk, dried flowers and tart red berries. On the palate brick, mineral and perfume. Rich mouth feel, round and mouth watering. Very satisfying and complex. PJG: 91
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Very very good... in great balance, but should hold just fine. Leather and dried meats on the nose, with some cedar. Acidic berries, finishing with heavy band aid. Quite a long finish for a bargain wine of this age. 01 Ribera is where it's at!
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Deep red, opaque colour, lighter red around the edges. Powerful and developed nose dominated by aromas of ripe, sweetish dark fruit and animal notes - dark plums, with some blackcurrants, blackberries and dark cherries, as well as meat juices, leather. Also spice, some earth cellar with just a hint of truffle, a hint of dill and just a hint of vanilla. Gives a slightly "warm" impression and shows in the nose that it has been cellared. Rather full bodied, good fruit concentration with dark fruits and a hint of red fruits on the palate, good acidity, rather velvety but present tannins, mild spice that lingers in the aftertaste. Feels fully mature, it will last but I don't think it will improve further.
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9/6/2022 - galewskj wrote: 91 Points
Rioja (Rincon 38): This bottle was not quite as nice as a bottle 4 years ago, but it was certainly no slouch. Lots cured meats and sulfur in this wine. Black olive, underbrush.
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8/28/2022 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Rincon 38, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour. Drank this next to an excellent '01 Faustino GR. The Valsardo was distinct with even more of a perfume of dried flowers and red fruits coming through, earthy, but it is the cured meats that make it more distinctive. The palate is full and satiny in texture with earth, raspberry and cherry notes mixed with leather, roasted meats and fine tannins. Brad person kept saying it smelled like hot dogs. Not my impression, but clearly had a meaty character to it. This was a little lighter and more lifted than the Faustino and I favored it by just a hair.
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6/24/2022 - J'agnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nothing to add to previous notes - this continues to be a tremendous wine in excellent condition - penultimate bottle for me
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12/14/2021 - J'agnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful cork - so clean after 20 years I had to take a picture. Colour is a deep garnet with minimal bricking. Nose is is leather, mocha and blackberry. Palate is quite racy - very definite acidity with red fruit and plum and a dollop of oak in the background. Soft fine grained tannins and a long refreshing finish. Exceptional quality for the price.
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7/4/2021 - J'agnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another clean cork. Nice garnet colour with a clear rim commensurate with 20 years of age. Nose is earthy with black fruit. Palate is savoury and definitely secondary if not tertiary. Good fruit although fading and nice soft tannins on the long voluptuous finish.
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4/30/2021 - J'agnes wrote: 90 Points
Clean cork this time with a long long corkscrew. Colour tending towards brick but limpid nonetheless. Great nose of blackberry and leather. Lovely lengthy palate, nice acidity and rounded with a prune d’Agen come fig fruit. Excellent wine.
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3/13/2021 - J'agnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Difficult cork ie disintegrated - decanted through a filter. Nice garnet colour - slightly muddy - nose nice saddle notes with black black fruit. Palate smooth black fruit, slightly drying tannin. Great acidity, fruit and long length.
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2/7/2021 - J'agnes Likes this wine: 92 Points
Auction purchase opened with trepidation despite good fill levels which only increased as the cork crumbled...
Need not have worried. Once decanted the wine was bright garnet with a wonderful earthy dark fruit bouquet. On the palate dark fruit with tertiary savoury characteristics more at home on the Left Bank than Valladolid. Sublime long finish - truly a wine to savour.
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1/14/2021 - BoozNooz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Loved this! Funky, earhy
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8/18/2019 - rjquillin Likes this wine:
B-day bottle with a buffalo steak; decanted early in the day and returned to bottle. Delicious. Improved over the meal, alas, none left for day two.
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8/3/2018 - idonotlikeliver Likes this wine: 94 Points
absolutely delicious. it's refined and age has done it well... yet it's in no way tired. still plenty of power here, as we found it a little big for the oven-roasted lamb chops we made. looking forward to the last remaining bottle.
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6/19/2018 - galewskj wrote: 93 Points
Rioja and Ribero del Duero (Tilia): This was the wine of the night. There was monumental cured meats and sulfur in this wine. Black olive, underbrush. It had the complexity of an aged claret, but a completely different frame to carry it.
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6/10/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Tilia, Mpls): Small taste. I've sung the praised of this wine several times before, so it comes as no surprise to me that this rocked table 2 and was WOTN. For me it was WOTN too with a mini pour. Great stuff, pretty red fruits, mid-weight, earthy, scorched earth, and roasted meat among even more complexity. Love it. 93+ to 94pts.
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8/27/2017 - Mossrose wrote: 92 Points
At 16 years old, from the great 2001 vintage, a seriously good wine aged 26 months in French oak instead of the cheaper American oak, that is still very dark, fruity, and well integrated, that we were amazed we could still buy years later for $25. Includes 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the blend. Now more smooth and elegant rather than powerful, with no sign of decay or premature aging. Fully enjoyable now without any need to drink up soon.
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1/22/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (The Kenwood, Mpls, MN): Very dark red color. Drank 1+ glass over an hour plus. I opened this to check it about 5 hours before the event, and the explosive perfume just wafted out of the bottle. I immediately put the cork back in and left it until just before serving. I have no idea if anyone else even liked this wine, but I absolutely loved it. I've have always been amazed at how good it is. I could smell the nose all day long and be quite happy. The perfume is quite intoxicating, with a plethora of floral scents, leather and a deep earthy funkiness that i love. The fruit goes to the red spectrum, more red raspberry with a bit of tart cherry, and some cigar box. The palate follows the nose, very deep, yet medium bodied, graphite and cigar, fine tannins and very good length. Drinks like great Bordeaux, should have bought even more of these.
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11/26/2016 - Castle Peak wrote: 90 Points
Leather, smoke, and dark muted red fruits.
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10/13/2016 - amauryc1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is the perfect mix between Rioja and a modern Ribera del Duero. Great fruit, mid/full weight but great leather, cedar, tobacco and tannins all very nicely layered.
Sadly this was my last bottle
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8/3/2016 - shaw wrote: 94 Points
Lovely. Lush, balanced, absent of hard edges. Beautiful.
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7/12/2016 - gkarlsson Likes this wine: 85 Points
We like this wine, but I don't think it will keep much longer. Very smoky! Dry with flavors of tobacco and leather with minerals. The wine looks crimson colored. The following notes are from the Tasting Note Assistant on this website: The legs are medium. It smells like rose, black pepper and mineral. It tastes like mineral, black pepper and alcohol/hot. The body is medium. The wine has smooth texture, finishes long, and has medium acidity.
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3/29/2016 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
See prior notes. Musar-like. Would like more of this wine.
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1/5/2016 - amauryc1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a very interesting wine. The labke says Ribera del Duero but in a blind tasting 1 hr after opening I would have guessed Rioja.
Brown/Red brick color in the glass with aromas of red fruit, oak, leather, expresso and earth. The pallate begins to show the Ribera de Duero richness with a medium/full body mouth feel with red fruit with hints of currants, integrated sweet oak and velvety tannins that lead to a long complex finish. On the second day it the wine had fully open and the typical dark fruit more typical of the RdD began to show withthe sweet velvety tannins still there and a beautiful long finish.
I thought this wine would be in the final stretch, but my last bottle will have to wait for a couple more years. I have a feeling it will be beautiful.
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12/28/2015 - Hover low 64 wrote: 92 Points
Don't make the mistake I did by drinking this beauty too quickly after removing from the cooler. It started slowly, cold...muted, cherry flavors, too sweet on the palate. Soon, however, after 30 to 45 minutes of warming, it began to blossom. Black cherry and rose on the nose...with chocolate, rich dark fruit and a sort of smokiness on the tongue. Good structure and tannins give evidence that it could still have more years of life in the cellar, if you have the patience. This wine is a stunner that will show its stuff when you allow it to impress you at the right temperature and after some aeration. A really nice wine that offers great aromas and even better flavor. Maybe a 93...you be the judge.
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10/25/2015 - Castle Peak wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Big, tannic bruiser. Similar to earlier note. Tobacco, dry earth and leather. Made to accompany big food.
Day two was slightly softer and some red berry flavors began to emerge.
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8/23/2015 - jmoulder wrote: 89 Points
Very old world structure. Earth and mineral dominate moreso than most Tempranillo wines. Needs significant air time to open up.
This is not your typical temp in structure. Much more substantional, and earthy.
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8/16/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 89 Points
consistent with notes of 12/17/2014
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8/3/2015 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 93 Points
Nicely aged at this point. Probably not getting any better, in my opinion.
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7/30/2015 - shaw wrote: 93 Points
Lush, integrated, and big without the bombast. In a great place -- drink up!
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7/24/2015 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
See prior note. Really nice, old world, "Musar-styled" wine.
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6/29/2015 - Castle Peak wrote: 92 Points
Great food wine. Classic accompaniment to large steaks, pork loins and wild smoked yard birds!
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6/28/2015 - Boatdrinker Likes this wine:
Once in awhile WTSO comes through. This guys shows his age, but in a distinguished way. After an hour of air....there is some sweet oak, but I find it well integrated and, overall, very enjoyable.
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5/21/2015 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pleasant wine. Definitely more old school than new. Mild brett on the nose. Smooth palate with mild and well integrated wet forest floor, black tea, dried red fruits. Drinking very nicely now. May age gracefully for a little while, but not sure.
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2/13/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Very dark red color. Coravined a 5oz pour and drank over an hour. Wow, this got me pretty riled up. I was hopeful this would be good and man was it. I love the earth and brett on this wine, not too barnyard(y) for me at all, in fact I found it very intoxicating,. This is a great old world nose with the earth and minerals, graphite, potpourri, cassis, tobacco and spice. The palate is nicely textured and has medium full body, elegant and balanced, earthy, cassis, dark cherry cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate, nice silky tannins and a long tobacco leaf infused finish. Parker nailed it on this one. Really nice stuff. Looking forward to revisiting this bottle soon. 93(+?)pts.
Addendum-drank another glass (coravined) on 2/20/15- absolutely as good as the first glass on 2/13/15, loved the silky texture, earth and brett, very nice acidity, cherry and raspberry on the nose with some cassis, the palate has more dark fruits with cassis and dark cherry, less tobacco this time. Nicely complex 93+pts.
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1/13/2015 - jcovino wrote: 88 Points
I would say nearly past its window, not much fruit left......
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1/2/2015 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 89 Points
consistent with notes of 12/17/2014
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12/18/2014 - Boatdrinker Likes this wine:
Some personality, but a bit shy and short. Knocking on the door of being very good. Flashes of elegance.
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12/17/2014 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nose was a little bretty- but only a touch. When tasted, smooth cherry and dried leather flavor. Just a touch of spice and chocolate on the finish as well
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11/27/2014 - auhead Likes this wine: 89 Points
Showing some maturity with a nose of earth, leather and smoked meats. It has a nice texture and a ripe fruit profile of blackberry and cassis framed by oak and acidity. A little harsh on the finish, otherwise would score higher. PnP, may improve overnight.
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11/26/2014 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful wine from an outstanding vintage. Rustic with funk, raspberries, cedar notes, spices and vanilla. Medium plus.
Day 2 excellent with similar qualities as day one.
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10/23/2014 - Swaggering Beaunie Likes this wine: 92 Points
I opened this one yesterday, and as was the case with the previous bottle, the aroma was far too bretty, even for my Brett-tolerant palate. So I poured it into an open pitcher and let it air for about 4 hours, during which time the bretty aroma dissipated. I then poured it back into the bottle and recorked it, and placed it into the fridge.
We drank it tonight as an aperetif, and it was splendid; round, full of a melange of dark fruits, complemented by mocha and faint smoke....just delightful, a well-aged RbD as it ought to be. Great QPR on this one for those equipped to deal with the wine's idiosyncracies. Should have bought more.
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10/8/2014 - K&J Likes this wine: 91 Points
OK, I am changing my recommendation on my May 2014 posting - open the wine and drink immediately. In doing this you can still appreciate its 'wow' factor. Then after 30 minutes it starts to show its age. Drink it all at the same sitting because it doesn't hold up the next day.
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10/6/2014 - John Nezlek wrote: 89 Points
Although I enjoyed this wine, I was not as impressed as some of our colleagues. It was reasonably well-developed (no reason to hold), but the fruit that was present upon opening did not hold up through the bottle.Good bottle, not as great as I hoped it would be. But better on Day 2 (lots).
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9/22/2014 - GlassHalfFull wrote: 92 Points
Big and bold even at this age. Still retaining some fruit, but the leather and meaty notes are starting to dominate. Long finish, great balance, and a steal of a value.
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7/31/2014 - K&J Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine is at the beginning of its end of life. Recommend drinking whatever stock you have now before it goes south!
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7/12/2014 - dankrems wrote: 91 Points
Out of the bottle the wine has a very distinct, dominant scorched earth and leather aspect which obscures the fruit. With 2-3 hours of air this wine changed dramatically, with the scorch fading a bit and the fruit emerging a bit. Decanted, this is a really nice wine with a balance of leather, coffee and red fruit. Not much tannin left at all, so time to drink up while this wine is at very late peak. Fun and unique wine and a terrific bargain at $25.
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6/21/2014 - ICaWineGuy wrote: 93 Points
PnP after wine breather decant, based on previous reviews. My first experience with the wine breather and I think it made a difference. The wine really blossomed after the wine breather and the fruit became much more evident.
Nose of toast, old leather, black cherry and black currant.
Palate of pipe tobacco, leather, black cherry, smoke, and a hint of chocolate-covered espresso bean.
Amazingly textured mouthfeel and tremendously long finish. Great stuff.
We paired it with a plate fresh fruit (grapes, cherries, strawberries, and blueberries), Manchego, 10 year aged sharp cheddar and Spanish chorizo. Everything went well, especially the Manchego and the cherries, but the cheddar was too much for this (any?) wine.
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6/9/2014 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cocoa, Espresso, deep and rich. Hints of red fruit follow through.
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5/13/2014 - Jasonr1023 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Let it breathe for a day to open up.
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5/12/2014 - ddingley Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good advice on the decant. I opened before checking CT. First impression--lovely old wine nose with dusty fruit but the age was unmistakable--when initially tasting found it pleasant with dried raspberry and leather but the total lack of tannin suggested past its prime. Enjoyed more and more with the pork chops and now, 1 1/2 hours later, fruit much more present and rich while retaining the secondary leather/mineral notes. Fantastic for the WTSO $25 price.
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5/10/2014 - K&J Likes this wine: 92 Points
Open for 1 or 2 hours (at least!) before you can begin to appreciate it. Upon opening, flavors and nose are musty, dusty, leather, tart cherry pie. After allowing it to open, the wine's fruit starts to become more apparent, and more so on the second day, and the dustiness and leather quiets down! Certainly old world profiles though. Hard to guess at how much longer this wine could last in the bottle.
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4/26/2014 - Fatusdadus wrote:
By the second day really came own with lots of dark fruit and spice
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4/23/2014 - Fatusdadus wrote: 90 Points
needs to decant about two hours and then opens nicely
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4/19/2014 - Fatusdadus Likes this wine: 90 Points
At first taste after letting stand in the glass for 30 minutes was - "past its prime - time to drink up" Had one glass and put it in the fridge. next day a little better - the fruit starting to open up a bit. another glass. The third day began to display it hidden trasures. So the next bottle I will decant for perhaps 2 hours and see what happens
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4/10/2014 - noahbw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Two hours of air in decanter. Holding up very well. Nose of dust, meat, wood, funk, dried flowers and tart red berries. On the palate brick, mineral and perfume. Rich mouth feel, round and mouth watering. Very satisfying and complex. PJG: 91
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2/21/2014 - 1961Vintage wrote: 88 Points
a bit pruny but still has fruit...drink up
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2/21/2014 - steveholt wrote: 90 Points
Nice wine, drink now. 2nd bottle, mug better than first. It's time is now, the first bottle had started to turn!
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1/30/2014 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 92 Points
Let it open an hour and the fruit really shines through. Classic old world and a reasonable price...
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1/25/2014 - gmat5497 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent. Full bodied. Nice finish
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1/24/2014 - GlassHalfFull wrote: 92 Points
Very very good... in great balance, but should hold just fine. Leather and dried meats on the nose, with some cedar. Acidic berries, finishing with heavy band aid. Quite a long finish for a bargain wine of this age. 01 Ribera is where it's at!
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1/20/2014 - 20/20 wrote: 89 Points
Cork was a dry crumbly mess, but must have held enough of a seal because wine was fine
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7/29/2012 - Vintomas wrote: 91 Points
Deep red, opaque colour, lighter red around the edges. Powerful and developed nose dominated by aromas of ripe, sweetish dark fruit and animal notes - dark plums, with some blackcurrants, blackberries and dark cherries, as well as meat juices, leather. Also spice, some earth cellar with just a hint of truffle, a hint of dill and just a hint of vanilla. Gives a slightly "warm" impression and shows in the nose that it has been cellared. Rather full bodied, good fruit concentration with dark fruits and a hint of red fruits on the palate, good acidity, rather velvety but present tannins, mild spice that lingers in the aftertaste. Feels fully mature, it will last but I don't think it will improve further.
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