Cherries dominate, though now seems to have taken on more floral aromas, along with a little earthiness interestingly. Well balanced and smooth. Acidicity remains. Agree this will not improve further but is delightful currently.
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There's plenty of fruit up front but also a savouriness to the bouquet. Deep and dark. Not heavy, yet will stand up to many meats. Very well balanced. 9 years old now. Think it's mellowed as far as it can. Drink this vintage up now.
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startling blood red. upfront, slight smoke char or graphite , sour cherry, rhubarblike acidity, quite austere -needs food and air. grainy tannins, very savoury and punchy. yum. have with food-I had with pigeon -duck would be an obvious choice.
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The grapes are sourced from very old (average 70 years) Garnacha vineyards located at high altitudes (average 400 m). Fermented in 3500-4500-liter vats, macerated for 3 weeks, aged for 14 months in oak barrels of 225, 300 and 500 liters. 14% alcohol.
Dense, concentrated and almost fully opaque black-red color. Very big, concentrated and somewhat developed nose with brooding, sweet-toned aromas of ripe dark berries, dried figs, some exotic spices and savory wood, a little bit of pruney character, light plummy tones, a hint of raisiny fruit and a touch of herbal minty character - perhaps suggesting new wood. The wine is dense, full-bodied and chewy - yet not particularly weighty or extracted - on the palate with concentrated yet fresh and lively flavors of dark plummy fruits, fresh dark berries, savory spices, a little bit of dried fig, light developed pruney tones, a hint of juicy strawberry and a touch of toasted wood. The overall character is enjoyably structured with its moderately high acidity and firm, grippy and textural tannins. The finish is noticeably tannic and grippy with chewy, concentrated flavors of wizened dark berries, prunes, some savory wood, light raisiny notes and a hint of earthy spice.
A wine that both shows some signs of the hot vintage and and age, but still manages to retain surprisingly tightly-knit and very impressive structure - this doesn't show the softness and supple structure the Grenache wines from southern France normally show. On the contrary, the wine is very powerful and concentrated, yet remarkably fresh and lively for its size. It shows great intensity and although some woodier tones manage to peek through at times, the emphasis is still on the concentrated old-vine Garnacha. A very impressive effort that might be on a bit raisiny side thanks to the hot 2009 vintage, yet still shows remarkable potential for further development. Seeing how impressive this wine is, I really need to see how it performs in cooler vintages - there's definitely a good chance this might be one of the best varietal Garnacha wines out there. Delivers for the price at 26,50€.
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Light and a bit too acid. I find the of sour cherries dominant and find it a bit hollow at this point. I hope it will improve, but right now I find the score a bit overrated.
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(Wine Society Tasting, Lords) :: A bit of heat, but good complexity starting to form. Still very primary (plums), quite volatile and with hints of cocoa & soil underneath. Leave for at least 3-5 years.
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This seems to be in a dumb phase. Working hard to get much out at the moment even after decant and overnight. The odd flash of fruit and dark spice, but hollow mid palate and awkward finish. Hold, in hope.
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The nose of this wine is one of the greatest I´ve ever had. It is so complex, alluring, serious and yet delicious that words will fail to describe it and just for its wonderful scent I should give 93 Points. There are herbs, french wood, red berry, hay and a hint of spice like cumin and cannot stop to sniff at the glass. I must admit that its taste can´t compete with the nose but it is also a great delight with power, structure, a demanding acidity and a really long afterglow. This is no easy drinking wine but to listen and learn, I like it!
Very old vines. Full bodied and intense flavour profile and wood spice, coupled with a touch a salinity that gives its Spanish characteristics away when tasted blind. The alcohol heat comes through; may seem slightly unbalanced at first but overall a decent wine very representative of the terroir.
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Red Spain (Riga): High accidity, red currants on the nose, minerality, quite elegant and delicate. Nose is more intense and promising than the palate delivers.
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Dark purple at the rim - strong nose of plums and slight acetone. Very intense on the palate, strong fruit - blackberry and blackcurrant, fresh but not acidic, slightly grainy mouthfeel but despite the foregoing really quite elegant. Good value - benefits greatly from a couple of hours' air.
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Mørk rubinrød. Kirsebær, alkohol, mode tørket frukter, pepper, gummi. For mye av alt i nesen- parfymert. Først og fremst flott syre fra umodne kirsebær og det er ikke så mye mer å henge seg opp i. Kjølig og stram. En del vanilje i avslutningen. Kort. Helt ok vin, men ikke til pris.
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Servida a ciegas. Nadie adivinó que esta botella venía de Navarra incluso sabiendo que era un vino norteño. Sorprendentemente tenía una nariz muy fresca si consideras que las viñas de garnacha de más de setenta años. La añada ayudó. En boca es más opulenta y un tanto especiada. Nada realmente interesante aquí.
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Very intense flavor of blackberry and blackcurrant aroma with a very long aftertaste. Very full, rich and concentrated body. Low alcoholic feel and low spiciness. A soft, beautiful and pure black fruit driven garnacha. Better to breath it for a few hours before serving. Have some aging potential.
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n - new oak super fresh, lovely perfume a touch more oak - now not overpowering good acidity zingy, lots of life and flavour, really supple then an oaky finish
I drank this with a cold on the way which may have dulled my senses. Buyer from Wine Soc thought the wine didn't see any new oak though to my senses it seemed that there was quite a bit. I've noticed people commenting on earlier vintages that the oak was a a little heavy-handed. I want to try this again. It's got beautiful fruit.
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5/31/2020 - JayP Likes this wine: 86 Points
I fear i have left last bottle a bit too long. A little thin snd sharp unlike the v nice earlier bottles- drink up !!
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12/14/2019 - Crispin wrote:
Dan Xmas
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3/23/2019 - The magic hour Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drinking well, violets, cedar. Drank 2009 Rasteau the same weekend and preferred it. This was not quite as smooth but still enjoyable.
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1/19/2019 - woodap Likes this wine:
Black cherry still dominating. Violets and also a touch of liquorice.
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11/4/2018 - woodap wrote:
Cherries dominate, though now seems to have taken on more floral aromas, along with a little earthiness interestingly. Well balanced and smooth. Acidicity remains. Agree this will not improve further but is delightful currently.
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10/20/2018 - shallIshantI Likes this wine: 89 Points
There's plenty of fruit up front but also a savouriness to the bouquet. Deep and dark. Not heavy, yet will stand up to many meats. Very well balanced. 9 years old now. Think it's mellowed as far as it can. Drink this vintage up now.
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7/26/2018 - OneForTheStairs Likes this wine:
Damn good classy garnacha
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12/22/2017 - Crispin Likes this wine:
Opened for couple hours before drunk. Fruity. Depth. Very good.
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11/25/2017 - OneForTheStairs Likes this wine:
Lush fruit. Tannins quiet. Cherry, bramble. Quite long. Delicious. Not fading at all yet.
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6/11/2017 - Alexroy wrote: 90 Points
Day 2. Bright red fruits. Smooth, mixed bright fruit, short but absolutely lovely.
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2/14/2017 - JulesB Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good level of fruit and acidity. Went very well with my Chinese meal!
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12/17/2016 - pilatus88 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Found it a bit better this time around. A bit more fruit and lush finish.
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9/23/2016 - pilatus88 wrote: 87 Points
Consistent with prior tasting. Not my style.
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9/4/2016 - ruth3 wrote:
startling blood red. upfront, slight smoke char or graphite , sour cherry, rhubarblike acidity, quite austere -needs food and air. grainy tannins, very savoury and punchy. yum. have with food-I had with pigeon -duck would be an obvious choice.
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8/21/2016 - OneForTheStairs Likes this wine:
No detailed notes. Cherry, long, will keep the next one for a while, but this one was fine to drink now with food.
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7/16/2016 - forceberry wrote: 94 Points
The grapes are sourced from very old (average 70 years) Garnacha vineyards located at high altitudes (average 400 m). Fermented in 3500-4500-liter vats, macerated for 3 weeks, aged for 14 months in oak barrels of 225, 300 and 500 liters. 14% alcohol.
Dense, concentrated and almost fully opaque black-red color. Very big, concentrated and somewhat developed nose with brooding, sweet-toned aromas of ripe dark berries, dried figs, some exotic spices and savory wood, a little bit of pruney character, light plummy tones, a hint of raisiny fruit and a touch of herbal minty character - perhaps suggesting new wood. The wine is dense, full-bodied and chewy - yet not particularly weighty or extracted - on the palate with concentrated yet fresh and lively flavors of dark plummy fruits, fresh dark berries, savory spices, a little bit of dried fig, light developed pruney tones, a hint of juicy strawberry and a touch of toasted wood. The overall character is enjoyably structured with its moderately high acidity and firm, grippy and textural tannins. The finish is noticeably tannic and grippy with chewy, concentrated flavors of wizened dark berries, prunes, some savory wood, light raisiny notes and a hint of earthy spice.
A wine that both shows some signs of the hot vintage and and age, but still manages to retain surprisingly tightly-knit and very impressive structure - this doesn't show the softness and supple structure the Grenache wines from southern France normally show. On the contrary, the wine is very powerful and concentrated, yet remarkably fresh and lively for its size. It shows great intensity and although some woodier tones manage to peek through at times, the emphasis is still on the concentrated old-vine Garnacha. A very impressive effort that might be on a bit raisiny side thanks to the hot 2009 vintage, yet still shows remarkable potential for further development. Seeing how impressive this wine is, I really need to see how it performs in cooler vintages - there's definitely a good chance this might be one of the best varietal Garnacha wines out there. Delivers for the price at 26,50€.
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4/24/2016 - pilatus88 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Light and a bit too acid. I find the of sour cherries dominant and find it a bit hollow at this point. I hope it will improve, but right now I find the score a bit overrated.
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10/26/2015 - Phenol73 Likes this wine: 90 Points
(Wine Society Tasting, Lords) :: A bit of heat, but good complexity starting to form. Still very primary (plums), quite volatile and with hints of cocoa & soil underneath. Leave for at least 3-5 years.
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10/25/2015 - Mellers wrote:
This seems to be in a dumb phase. Working hard to get much out at the moment even after decant and overnight. The odd flash of fruit and dark spice, but hollow mid palate and awkward finish. Hold, in hope.
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9/4/2015 - WimHH Likes this wine: 89 Points
Second day was much better than first --> decanting needed!
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3/17/2015 - Christian von Dresky Likes this wine: 90 Points
The nose of this wine is one of the greatest I´ve ever had. It is so complex, alluring, serious and yet delicious that words will fail to describe it and just for its wonderful scent I should give 93 Points. There are herbs, french wood, red berry, hay and a hint of spice like cumin and cannot stop to sniff at the glass. I must admit that its taste can´t compete with the nose but it is also a great delight with power, structure, a demanding acidity and a really long afterglow. This is no easy drinking wine but to listen and learn, I like it!
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2/9/2015 - cyzee wrote: 86 Points
Very old vines. Full bodied and intense flavour profile and wood spice, coupled with a touch a salinity that gives its Spanish characteristics away when tasted blind. The alcohol heat comes through; may seem slightly unbalanced at first but overall a decent wine very representative of the terroir.
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12/28/2014 - Bum Likes this wine: 85 Points
Berries and a little chocolate. Strong tanins, a little uneven. Could be more complex.
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10/3/2014 - AV2012 wrote: 85 Points
Red Spain (Riga): High accidity, red currants on the nose, minerality, quite elegant and delicate. Nose is more intense and promising than the palate delivers.
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6/16/2014 - Jasper May wrote: 91 Points
Dark purple at the rim - strong nose of plums and slight acetone. Very intense on the palate, strong fruit - blackberry and blackcurrant, fresh but not acidic, slightly grainy mouthfeel but despite the foregoing really quite elegant. Good value - benefits greatly from a couple of hours' air.
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6/8/2014 - Christoffer S wrote:
Mørk rubinrød. Kirsebær, alkohol, mode tørket frukter, pepper, gummi. For mye av alt i nesen- parfymert. Først og fremst flott syre fra umodne kirsebær og det er ikke så mye mer å henge seg opp i. Kjølig og stram. En del vanilje i avslutningen. Kort. Helt ok vin, men ikke til pris.
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5/27/2014 - Harley1199 wrote:
High Altitude Vineyards (Plus Private Dinner at restaurant García de la Navarra) (Vila Viniteca - Madrid): Served blind. Nobody guessed this bottle came from Navarre even knowing it was a northern wine.
Surprisingly a very fresh nose if you think these Grenache vines are 70 plus years old. Vintage helped.
Palate was more opulent and a little spiced.
Nothing really interesting here.
Servida a ciegas. Nadie adivinó que esta botella venía de Navarra incluso sabiendo que era un vino norteño.
Sorprendentemente tenía una nariz muy fresca si consideras que las viñas de garnacha de más de setenta años. La añada ayudó.
En boca es más opulenta y un tanto especiada.
Nada realmente interesante aquí.
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12/17/2013 - Mellers Likes this wine:
Pure black fruits, hint of cocoa on the nose. Sweet black fruit and good freshness in the mouth. Refreshing, structured old-vine garnacha. Impressive.
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11/10/2013 - dimdic wrote: 90 Points
Very intense flavor of blackberry and blackcurrant aroma with a very long aftertaste. Very full, rich and concentrated body. Low alcoholic feel and low spiciness. A soft, beautiful and pure black fruit driven garnacha. Better to breath it for a few hours before serving. Have some aging potential.
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11/10/2013 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
n - new oak
super fresh, lovely perfume
a touch more oak - now not overpowering
good acidity
zingy, lots of life and flavour, really supple
then an oaky finish
I drank this with a cold on the way which may have dulled my senses. Buyer from Wine Soc thought the wine didn't see any new oak though to my senses it seemed that there was quite a bit. I've noticed people commenting on earlier vintages that the oak was a a little heavy-handed. I want to try this again. It's got beautiful fruit.
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11/9/2013 - hfc wrote: 90 Points
(2013 HKTDC wine fair)
Powerful and plenty of fruits with a hint of funk that I don't know how to describe. Overall, it's quite pleasant to drink.
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4/22/2013 - Moko_hk Likes this wine: 84 Points
Nice valued daily wine. VV with chocolate and vanilla flavor.
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