My bottle was a bit fresher than @Charlie C's was. A bit fresher and the score merited that tasting note and then some, so I'll go with this. A lovely bottle.
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Translucent cherry red with a dark core. Moist earth and cherry on the nose. Bright, precise cherry fruit on the plate, bit of warm spice. Fully resolved tannins, soft acidity, perfectly balanced. Finishes long and smoky with cherry notes. Past peak but still very nice. Drink next 3 years or so.
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Olive notes intermingled with a little sweet varnish, very mature aromatics. Quite bright juicy acidity, suave and complex palate. Lovely drinking and very much to my taste, though clearly pushing past its peak at this point. Drink up.
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This still has great complexity to it. The nose is full of dill, leather and forest floor. There is also a presence of mushroom and herbal notes. On the palate, I found more leather and forest floor. Awesome stuff
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What a great wine. 23 years old. Still really interesting with a wide array of smells and flavors. Complex, ever changing and evolving. Showing a slight bricking around the rim. Nose of tobacco, wet leaves, plums, leather and a hint of eucalyptus. Palate similar to nose. Still has a decent amount of tannins. Not as deep, rich or long as the previous bottle. I think this is either at or just past peak. Wish I had more to try, but this is the last of a case over 23 years.
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Pizza Night with Aged Classic Reds Ten Plus Years Old (Rocknroller's (Kevin's)): Very dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 2 hours plus. Now that I've stopped chuckling after reading Chablis28's note on this, maybe I can offer another perspective. Ok, that was a hoot Craig. But I felt like this was a lovely wine that was in a sweet spot. Lopez does their thing, and I love it. But this strikes me with a similar purity, if a bigger style compared to some. The nose offers a mix of red berry fruits, complimentary refined dill and a minty top note along with just a touch of earth in the background. While the palate provides a sexy dark fruited wine with a blend of cassis, black cherry and kirsch on the finish. I found this to be very sleek and harmonious as well as texturally rich and well integrated. I doubt this will get better, but I can envision well stored bottles holding up for several years. 93+pts.
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Pizza night at Kevin's / R&Rler. I was excited to try this wine with 22yrs on it. I'd only otherwise had the 04's I bought on release, based on critical acclaim, before I honed in my palate. This wine has always annoyed me as I've never "got it". Not even in the early days when I was more of a CA Cab guy. Overtime, I've come to resent the money & cellar space I have tied up in it. I've never owned a bunch of it but I have had to work my through 4 btls too many :). Additionally, over time I've come to love authentic and unadorned tempranillo in the hands of producers like Lopez Heredia for 1/2 the price. So, take my TNs with a grain of salt and in that context. Tonight Jim V and Kevin waxed on about how much they loved this wine and even talking about it being almost their WOTN. So, it perplexed me as I was not enthralled and even disappointed that the extra btl age didn't allow more tempranillo character to shine through. Additionally, this was borderline tired and lacking a bit of energy for my liking. Ok, I better shut up! I didn't like it all that much:). 89pts for me. If you love this producer and the style you'll easily find a good extra 3-5 points more of pleasure. I'm not into tempranillo tasting like a Spanish version of BDX.
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Heftig eiket, tung ribera med rosiner, tørka frukter, blyant, vanilje på duft. Viskøs og noe portvinsaktig i munnen, tross bare 13,5%. En stor vin i sin sjanger, men dette er ikke min stil
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This was consumed over 10 days. Wine showed like a classic aged bordeaux. Still had fruit and structure to last. It actually was as enjoyable to taste, if not more so, the 10th day as the first. Showed more of that leather and mild forest floor that you'd expect from a good bordeaux.
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Flawed -- This must have been a great wine during its prime, though. What a waste.
Blindverkostung. Dunkles Granatrot, mit ziegelrotem Rand. Süßholz, abgetragenes Leder, getrocknete Tabakblätter, balsamische Noten, leichter Korkschleicher in der Nase. Am Gaumen dann noch das Eine oder Andere interessante Aroma, aber der Fehlton gewinnt letztendlich die Oberhand. Noch etwas rote und dunkle Frucht, Zedernholz, Leder, wieder balsamische Noten, größtenteils weggeschmolzeene Tannine, tragende Säure. Mittelkräftiger Alkohol. Dieser Wein dürfte den Vorgänger (1995 Reserva Pesquera) seinerzeit noch übertroffen haben. –
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Wow, this really has come around. Wonderful wine jumping out of the bottle and glass. Medium to dark Ruby color with slight orange rim. Wonderful blend of primary and secondary nose and palate of sweet and sour cherry, cigar, wet leaves, au jus and leather. Medium to long palate. Really feels like its in its prime. Second day, still showing well. Deep red licorice aroma and palate. Really great wine drinking wonderfully right now.
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Tasted double blind. Old wood, mushroomy, rustic nose with a sweet & spicy cherry/strawberry fruit profile. A spike of volatility, plenty of acidity, some deft oak. After an hour of decanting this has become really complex and alluring; coffee, mint, beef consomme, balsamic vinegar over strawberries, succulent richness. Immediately reminiscent of a Duero but this has exceptional cleanliness and polish. Seems like a Vega-Sicilia wine, maybe a 20 year old Valbuena? Damn good. 94-96 I dunno.
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Meaty, spicy, sappy. Angular at the start, but came together quickly. Clay and wood, sweet fruit and mature tannins, with exceptional depth. Perfect match with cold-smoked and grilled Kurobuta pork tenderloin.
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Aged very well. It does not appear his age of 20 years. Very balanced and elegant. Presents intensity and structure to age at least another 5-8 years. Excellent.
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Lasted over 3 days. Pleasant secondary and some tertiary flavors and aromas. Not spectacular, but solid, well made, nice balance and almost 20 years longevity for $25.
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Color: medium deep ruby -> bright, light garnet/brick rim. Enticing, impressive bouquet of cassis, leather, barnyard and some smokey minerality. Palate has a fabulous attack; leather, a little tar and intense black fruit that, unfortunately just crashes into a short, overly acidic finish with a slap of tannins on the back end. If I was rating this on bouquet alone, it would easily be in the 91-93 range but the astringent finish pulls it way down. I have to think this is getting too long in the tooth: drink up--and the sooner, the better.
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La robe est encore dans un rubis brillant mais tirant au grenat et au brun sur le disque. Les premières minutes révèlent des arômes animaux, de lard, puis après aération les fruits noirs reviennent, la griotte notamment. Le vin est rond en bouche, la matière est fine, c'est un rouge profond assagi. Certes il ne faut pas tarder à le boire mais cette bouteille tenait encore son rang après 17 ans et demi.
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At Portugalia. Very fresh and lots of fruit at age 17+. Even a touch of mint, though that disappeared over time. ASFAIK all Tempranillo, but blind would have guessed some cab in the blend. Very good, and very different from a Rioja of similar quality and age.
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Power and grace, structure and elegance, depth and passion. This bottle was absolutely smashing, with stunning fruit, great acidity, and a long, cherry, balsamic streak that was endearing and utterly charming. Osso bucco with portobellos sauteed in bacon and Marsala, how could it get much better?
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This was the second time I've had the '95 Alion, and this bottle was superior to the first. Tight when opened, this blossomed over three hours with loads of fruit, vanillins, floral aromas, and a soft, velvety mouthfeel. Tasted over and over again next to the 2001 Clos des Papes, and this was the better wine.
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Excellent Ribera. Drinking perfectly and with the muscle to last for a few mores years yet. Spicy rich and with everything in the right place I wish I had more.
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Still youthful for its age, but starting to show it now. Fading red color with slight to moderate bricking around the rim. Nose of cedar, leather, maybe some wet leaves, a little cherry / berry. Palate very firm and focused. Still lots of tannin left. Leather, soft red berry, some wood. 2nd night, palate was much better. Much more open. Lots of tobacco, wet leaves, lead pencil, pleasant black tea, and much more sweet red fruit. Really much more enjoyable 2nd night. Let these age and try in again in a couple of years. Still has interesting aging potential.
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Aroma easily a 95, cherry, wet animal but in a good way, old tanned leather, and a bag of cedar chips just opened. 82 on the palette, very acidic, somewhat alcoholic hot, then you get sour cherry, basil, licorice, and grass. Might not sound all that good, but kind of grows on you mid glass. Definitely has some tannins, the teeth feel like they are coated in a plastic sand mixture.
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Dark red colour, dark "brickish" on the rim. Wonderful nose of dark red berries, plum, stable, leather and barnyard. Hints of spices and sweet licorice. Judge the nose of the -94 to be more complex than this one. Full bodied, "meaty" with a massive thick red fruit. Tannins soft, yet present and a nice acidity to balance it all out. The finish of solid length; a nice dry and complex finish indeed.
This got structure and fruit to develop further, no rush what so ever with this one. Head to head I would say the -94 is a touch better, however it might be that this one ends up being the better with a few more years. Regardless of comparison this was one great bottle of wine.
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Bricking dark red violet color; mature, dried mushroom, roast lamb, American oak dill, cigar box nose; cigar box, dried berry, dried mushroom, curry palate with firm tannins, a little chunky yet; medium-plus finish
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A pleasant version of Cat litter and cedar dominate the initial nose. Tight as can be but a bit light on the fruit upon first taste. Got chewy as the glass progressed. Coffee grounds on the finish courtesy of the overwhelming acid as the fruit washed away. Will try tomorrow. Okay, it's tomorrow and prunes dominate the nose. Still got some Tanins goin' on. Waiting for a dark finish which just ain't comin'. Fun lively bottle, talk about how wine progresses over the senses.
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Not showing any real signs of age. Still kind of tannic. Thick wine. May still continue to evolve. Still good 1 and 2 days later. Not great, maybe a little better.
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Decanted 2 hours. Very similar to the bottle from 2 summers ago. Delightful nose of dark fruits, espresso and earthiness. Medium weight and exquisite balance with softening tannins and complexity.
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Spanish Wine Dinner with Rob Gardner and Friends in NYC: Deep ruby color. This one was, I fear, very slightly corked. It presented closed on the nose with a slight musty odor in the background, barely noticeable. Notes of black cherry and spice on the nose and some wet earth on the palate. There was clearly a lot more to this wine, but not showing well tonight.
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Garrafa aberta com três horas de antecedência e retirado um pouco do líquido para aumentar a superfície em contato com o oxigênio. Rolha completamente tingida pelo vinho, um pouco de bolor no topo, porém sem sinal de vazamento. NM. Rubi com traços acastanhados. Evoluído mas inteiro, apesar do estado da rolha. Resinoso intenso, lembrando esmalte. Aromas terciários incisivos, com notas animais que foram se intensificando com o tempo. Leve, suave, mas com boa presença em boca; notas de pimenta, cereja e liquirizia. Ótima acidez, taninos finos, longo. Se bem armazenado e com rolhas intactas, ainda agüenta alguns anos -- mas parece já ter atingido o auge. Excepcional.
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Bramble, cherry, coffee, musk and plenty of cedar on the nose. Interesting texture to the savoury palate but the fruit seems to be a bit all over the place. Struggled tonight and I don't know that this bottle would have improved with time.
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Excellent. Dark purple color. Very slight bricking. Nose of dark fruit, cassis, spice, maybe anise, a little wood/oak. Pallet same. Drinking well now, but can last.
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J-Dark. Eucalyptus nose with some petrol. Palate is very fine with herbaceous notes and leather around some blackberry and vanilla flavors. A nice wine, but lacking a little fruit. (87) N-Deep brick red color with leather and plum on the nose. Full, somewhat tart, soft floral notes; very slight metalic end. Long but simple finish of apple plum & blackberry. (85)
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Decanted 1 hour. Dark red with evident bricking. Beautifully expressive nose of cherries and 'mature' aromas of espresso, licorice and asian spices as well as a meaty earthiness. Nice palate with medium fruit, good acidity and integrated tannins. Finish is balanced, complex and long. Excellent with grilled filets.
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Much better colour than the last bottle, deep red to the edges. Rich dark fruit and aniseed/licorice. Smells great. As always, great tannins and ripe blackberry/blackcurrant fruit. Very long finish, I could drink another 12 of these over the next 2-3 years.
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Muito concentrado, complexo, aromas sutis mas intensos. Equilibrado, elegante, potente. Cereja, levíssimo balsâmico e ligeiro amargor. Final muito longo. Excepcional.
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The colour is deep reddish/purple with bricking becoming apparent at the edges. A powerful nose of dark cherry with the meaty, earthy, and liquorice notes typical of Ribera del Duero Tempranillo. Layers of dark and red fruit, plus some espresso, liquorice, and cinnamon in the mouth. Good palette weight and a silky smooth texture developed as it got a bit more air; I'd drink it just for that texture. Beautiful balance and length, it’s fully mature and refined.
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Not a hedonistic wine, but shows a lot of personality. Nose is nothing special, body is light and even mildly thin in the midpalate, but it comes across as elegant - and the finish really makes the wine - powerful and complex. Some strong coffee/expresso notes, mixed with roasted meats and even some tobacco. Very interesting and unusual palate made it a crowd pleaser - tho not at first. Good food wine.
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A nice, fully mature wine. Very well-balanced, medium-bodied, and elegant. Still showing plenty of dark and red fruit, plus some coffee, licorice, and dried herbs. Good finish. This would have been a very versatile dinner wine, but it worked just fine with cheese as well. I would drink this wine soon.
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Definite bricking. Woody nose initially, but eventually becomes more earthy/mushroomy. Dark, deep cherry flavors. Very balanced. Medium finish. Will not improve, but should hold for a while yet.
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12/11/2022 - TXRhoneRanger wrote: 92 Points
My bottle was a bit fresher than @Charlie C's was. A bit fresher and the score merited that tasting note and then some, so I'll go with this. A lovely bottle.
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3/25/2022 - Charlie C Likes this wine: 89 Points
Translucent cherry red with a dark core. Moist earth and cherry on the nose. Bright, precise cherry fruit on the plate, bit of warm spice. Fully resolved tannins, soft acidity, perfectly balanced. Finishes long and smoky with cherry notes. Past peak but still very nice. Drink next 3 years or so.
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4/7/2020 - brianakrin wrote: 95 Points
great nose, rich , sweet, bright fruit, smooth. Ready. No hurry
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3/28/2020 - Milovino wrote: 88 Points
Late in the game but still had decent fruit and body. One hour decanting was helpful.
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12/14/2019 - robmatic wrote: 92 Points
Olive notes intermingled with a little sweet varnish, very mature aromatics. Quite bright juicy acidity, suave and complex palate. Lovely drinking and very much to my taste, though clearly pushing past its peak at this point. Drink up.
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11/23/2019 - mbo1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Definite dill and cigar ash on the nose. Still very nice fruit, spice and wet dirt on the palate. Just really good and definitely time to drink.
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8/2/2019 - KRKacs wrote: 92 Points
This still has great complexity to it. The nose is full of dill, leather and forest floor. There is also a presence of mushroom and herbal notes. On the palate, I found more leather and forest floor. Awesome stuff
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7/10/2019 - essitam Likes this wine: 93 Points
super ripe, but still amazing! drink now!
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9/27/2018 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 94 Points
What a great wine. 23 years old. Still really interesting with a wide array of smells and flavors. Complex, ever changing and evolving. Showing a slight bricking around the rim. Nose of tobacco, wet leaves, plums, leather and a hint of eucalyptus. Palate similar to nose. Still has a decent amount of tannins. Not as deep, rich or long as the previous bottle. I think this is either at or just past peak. Wish I had more to try, but this is the last of a case over 23 years.
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1/25/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Pizza Night with Aged Classic Reds Ten Plus Years Old (Rocknroller's (Kevin's)): Very dark red color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 2 hours plus. Now that I've stopped chuckling after reading Chablis28's note on this, maybe I can offer another perspective. Ok, that was a hoot Craig. But I felt like this was a lovely wine that was in a sweet spot. Lopez does their thing, and I love it. But this strikes me with a similar purity, if a bigger style compared to some. The nose offers a mix of red berry fruits, complimentary refined dill and a minty top note along with just a touch of earth in the background. While the palate provides a sexy dark fruited wine with a blend of cassis, black cherry and kirsch on the finish. I found this to be very sleek and harmonious as well as texturally rich and well integrated. I doubt this will get better, but I can envision well stored bottles holding up for several years. 93+pts.
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1/25/2018 - chablis28 wrote: 89 Points
Pizza night at Kevin's / R&Rler. I was excited to try this wine with 22yrs on it. I'd only otherwise had the 04's I bought on release, based on critical acclaim, before I honed in my palate. This wine has always annoyed me as I've never "got it". Not even in the early days when I was more of a CA Cab guy. Overtime, I've come to resent the money & cellar space I have tied up in it. I've never owned a bunch of it but I have had to work my through 4 btls too many :). Additionally, over time I've come to love authentic and unadorned tempranillo in the hands of producers like Lopez Heredia for 1/2 the price. So, take my TNs with a grain of salt and in that context. Tonight Jim V and Kevin waxed on about how much they loved this wine and even talking about it being almost their WOTN. So, it perplexed me as I was not enthralled and even disappointed that the extra btl age didn't allow more tempranillo character to shine through. Additionally, this was borderline tired and lacking a bit of energy for my liking. Ok, I better shut up! I didn't like it all that much:). 89pts for me. If you love this producer and the style you'll easily find a good extra 3-5 points more of pleasure. I'm not into tempranillo tasting like a Spanish version of BDX.
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2/21/2017 - Anders Danielsen Lie Likes this wine: 89 Points
Heftig eiket, tung ribera med rosiner, tørka frukter, blyant, vanilje på duft. Viskøs og noe portvinsaktig i munnen, tross bare 13,5%. En stor vin i sin sjanger, men dette er ikke min stil
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10/5/2016 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
This was consumed over 10 days. Wine showed like a classic aged bordeaux. Still had fruit and structure to last. It actually was as enjoyable to taste, if not more so, the 10th day as the first. Showed more of that leather and mild forest floor that you'd expect from a good bordeaux.
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6/18/2016 - MNig wrote: flawed
Flawed -- This must have been a great wine during its prime, though. What a waste.
Blindverkostung. Dunkles Granatrot, mit ziegelrotem Rand. Süßholz, abgetragenes Leder, getrocknete Tabakblätter, balsamische Noten, leichter Korkschleicher in der Nase. Am Gaumen dann noch das Eine oder Andere interessante Aroma, aber der Fehlton gewinnt letztendlich die Oberhand. Noch etwas rote und dunkle Frucht, Zedernholz, Leder, wieder balsamische Noten, größtenteils weggeschmolzeene Tannine, tragende Säure. Mittelkräftiger Alkohol. Dieser Wein dürfte den Vorgänger (1995 Reserva Pesquera) seinerzeit noch übertroffen haben. –
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10/3/2015 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow, this really has come around. Wonderful wine jumping out of the bottle and glass. Medium to dark Ruby color with slight orange rim. Wonderful blend of primary and secondary nose and palate of sweet and sour cherry, cigar, wet leaves, au jus and leather. Medium to long palate. Really feels like its in its prime. Second day, still showing well. Deep red licorice aroma and palate. Really great wine drinking wonderfully right now.
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6/12/2015 - andtheodor wrote: 94 Points
Tasted double blind. Old wood, mushroomy, rustic nose with a sweet & spicy cherry/strawberry fruit profile. A spike of volatility, plenty of acidity, some deft oak. After an hour of decanting this has become really complex and alluring; coffee, mint, beef consomme, balsamic vinegar over strawberries, succulent richness. Immediately reminiscent of a Duero but this has exceptional cleanliness and polish. Seems like a Vega-Sicilia wine, maybe a 20 year old Valbuena? Damn good. 94-96 I dunno.
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6/11/2015 - robmatic wrote: 95 Points
Meaty, spicy, sappy. Angular at the start, but came together quickly. Clay and wood, sweet fruit and mature tannins, with exceptional depth. Perfect match with cold-smoked and grilled Kurobuta pork tenderloin.
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1/8/2015 - LFCHALA Likes this wine: 95 Points
Aged very well. It does not appear his age of 20 years. Very balanced and elegant. Presents intensity and structure to age at least another 5-8 years. Excellent.
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8/16/2014 - rSyver wrote: 90 Points
Drinking very well. Consistent with previous note, however unsure how much more there is to gain.
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7/19/2014 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lasted over 3 days. Pleasant secondary and some tertiary flavors and aromas. Not spectacular, but solid, well made, nice balance and almost 20 years longevity for $25.
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12/21/2013 - BVal wrote: 87 Points
Color: medium deep ruby -> bright, light garnet/brick rim. Enticing, impressive bouquet of cassis, leather, barnyard and some smokey minerality. Palate has a fabulous attack; leather, a little tar and intense black fruit that, unfortunately just crashes into a short, overly acidic finish with a slap of tannins on the back end. If I was rating this on bouquet alone, it would easily be in the 91-93 range but the astringent finish pulls it way down. I have to think this is getting too long in the tooth: drink up--and the sooner, the better.
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4/30/2013 - stadler Likes this wine:
La robe est encore dans un rubis brillant mais tirant au grenat et au brun sur le disque. Les premières minutes révèlent des arômes animaux, de lard, puis après aération les fruits noirs reviennent, la griotte notamment. Le vin est rond en bouche, la matière est fine, c'est un rouge profond assagi. Certes il ne faut pas tarder à le boire mais cette bouteille tenait encore son rang après 17 ans et demi.
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2/7/2013 - cweiss Likes this wine:
At Portugalia. Very fresh and lots of fruit at age 17+. Even a touch of mint, though that disappeared over time. ASFAIK all Tempranillo, but blind would have guessed some cab in the blend. Very good, and very different from a Rioja of similar quality and age.
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12/14/2012 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
This wine still can evolve. Consumed over 2 days and was definitely better and more open on the second day.
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11/15/2012 - Harley1199 wrote:
Historical & Vertical Alión Tasting (Bodega Santa Cecilia - Madrid): Reduced even corked nose. This wasn't ethernal for sure.
Nariz reducida, incluso con corcho. No era eterna seguramente.
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9/21/2012 - robmatic wrote: 96 Points
Power and grace, structure and elegance, depth and passion. This bottle was absolutely smashing, with stunning fruit, great acidity, and a long, cherry, balsamic streak that was endearing and utterly charming. Osso bucco with portobellos sauteed in bacon and Marsala, how could it get much better?
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9/2/2012 - redmancge wrote: 89 Points
My first tasting of an aged Ribera. Wow what a treat will definelty look for more. Bottle was perfect in every way
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6/24/2012 - drunkstar wrote: 93 Points
Love this more every time I open a bottle. Beautifully mature and well integrated. Lengthy chewy finish that could last for a few years yet.
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5/3/2012 - oakland.cory wrote: 94 Points
This was the second time I've had the '95 Alion, and this bottle was superior to the first. Tight when opened, this blossomed over three hours with loads of fruit, vanillins, floral aromas, and a soft, velvety mouthfeel. Tasted over and over again next to the 2001 Clos des Papes, and this was the better wine.
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4/26/2012 - drunkstar wrote: 92 Points
Excellent Ribera. Drinking perfectly and with the muscle to last for a few mores years yet. Spicy rich and with everything in the right place I wish I had more.
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12/9/2011 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Still youthful for its age, but starting to show it now. Fading red color with slight to moderate bricking around the rim. Nose of cedar, leather, maybe some wet leaves, a little cherry / berry. Palate very firm and focused. Still lots of tannin left. Leather, soft red berry, some wood. 2nd night, palate was much better. Much more open. Lots of tobacco, wet leaves, lead pencil, pleasant black tea, and much more sweet red fruit. Really much more enjoyable 2nd night. Let these age and try in again in a couple of years. Still has interesting aging potential.
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10/30/2011 - Heart Plumber wrote: 86 Points
Aroma easily a 95, cherry, wet animal but in a good way, old tanned leather, and a bag of cedar chips just opened. 82 on the palette, very acidic, somewhat alcoholic hot, then you get sour cherry, basil, licorice, and grass. Might not sound all that good, but kind of grows on you mid glass. Definitely has some tannins, the teeth feel like they are coated in a plastic sand mixture.
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4/21/2011 - rSyver wrote: 90 Points
Dark red colour, dark "brickish" on the rim. Wonderful nose of dark red berries, plum, stable, leather and barnyard. Hints of spices and sweet licorice. Judge the nose of the -94 to be more complex than this one. Full bodied, "meaty" with a massive thick red fruit. Tannins soft, yet present and a nice acidity to balance it all out. The finish of solid length; a nice dry and complex finish indeed.
This got structure and fruit to develop further, no rush what so ever with this one. Head to head I would say the -94 is a touch better, however it might be that this one ends up being the better with a few more years. Regardless of comparison this was one great bottle of wine.
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11/12/2010 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Bricking dark red violet color; mature, dried mushroom, roast lamb, American oak dill, cigar box nose; cigar box, dried berry, dried mushroom, curry palate with firm tannins, a little chunky yet; medium-plus finish
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12/7/2009 - beej wrote: 89 Points
A pleasant version of Cat litter and cedar dominate the initial nose. Tight as can be but a bit light on the fruit upon first taste. Got chewy as the glass progressed. Coffee grounds on the finish courtesy of the overwhelming acid as the fruit washed away. Will try tomorrow.
Okay, it's tomorrow and prunes dominate the nose. Still got some Tanins goin' on. Waiting for a dark finish which just ain't comin'. Fun lively bottle, talk about how wine progresses over the senses.
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11/23/2009 - winemaker wrote: 85 Points
A bit tired albeit kind of sharp due to the acidity.
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7/25/2009 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Not showing any real signs of age. Still kind of tannic. Thick wine. May still continue to evolve. Still good 1 and 2 days later. Not great, maybe a little better.
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7/28/2008 - thomaskeil wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Very similar to the bottle from 2 summers ago. Delightful nose of dark fruits, espresso and earthiness. Medium weight and exquisite balance with softening tannins and complexity.
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11/30/2007 - joni.m.anttonen@gmail.com wrote: 94 Points
Nose: Black berries, oak, earth, vanilla, liquorice, complex
Palate: fruits , velvety smooth, elegant, long
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10/13/2007 - dougsmith wrote:
Spanish Wine Dinner with Rob Gardner and Friends in NYC: Deep ruby color. This one was, I fear, very slightly corked. It presented closed on the nose with a slight musty odor in the background, barely noticeable. Notes of black cherry and spice on the nose and some wet earth on the palate. There was clearly a lot more to this wine, but not showing well tonight.
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8/22/2007 - Vinho wrote: 92 Points
Garrafa aberta com três horas de antecedência e retirado um pouco do líquido para aumentar a superfície em contato com o oxigênio. Rolha completamente tingida pelo vinho, um pouco de bolor no topo, porém sem sinal de vazamento. NM. Rubi com traços acastanhados. Evoluído mas inteiro, apesar do estado da rolha. Resinoso intenso, lembrando esmalte. Aromas terciários incisivos, com notas animais que foram se intensificando com o tempo. Leve, suave, mas com boa presença em boca; notas de pimenta, cereja e liquirizia. Ótima acidez, taninos finos, longo. Se bem armazenado e com rolhas intactas, ainda agüenta alguns anos -- mas parece já ter atingido o auge. Excepcional.
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8/8/2007 - CamWheeler wrote: 87 Points
Bramble, cherry, coffee, musk and plenty of cedar on the nose. Interesting texture to the savoury palate but the fruit seems to be a bit all over the place. Struggled tonight and I don't know that this bottle would have improved with time.
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2/18/2007 - lebo9968@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
Excellent. Dark purple color. Very slight bricking. Nose of dark fruit, cassis, spice, maybe anise, a little wood/oak. Pallet same. Drinking well now, but can last.
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12/28/2006 - Vinho wrote: flawed
Garrafa n. 106230. 13,5° de álcool. Rolha completamente encharcada. Claramente houve algum problema de conservação. Vinho provavelmente 'cozido'.
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12/9/2006 - wineward wrote: 86 Points
J-Dark. Eucalyptus nose with some petrol. Palate is very fine with herbaceous notes and leather around some blackberry and vanilla flavors. A nice wine, but lacking a little fruit. (87)
N-Deep brick red color with leather and plum on the nose. Full, somewhat tart, soft floral notes; very slight metalic end. Long but simple finish of apple plum & blackberry. (85)
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7/17/2006 - thomaskeil wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 1 hour. Dark red with evident bricking. Beautifully expressive nose of cherries and 'mature' aromas of espresso, licorice and asian spices as well as a meaty earthiness. Nice palate with medium fruit, good acidity and integrated tannins. Finish is balanced, complex and long. Excellent with grilled filets.
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4/27/2006 - Shaggy wrote: 94 Points
Much better colour than the last bottle, deep red to the edges. Rich dark fruit and aniseed/licorice. Smells great. As always, great tannins and ripe blackberry/blackcurrant fruit. Very long finish, I could drink another 12 of these over the next 2-3 years.
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4/21/2006 - Vinho wrote: 91 Points
Muito concentrado, complexo, aromas sutis mas intensos. Equilibrado, elegante, potente. Cereja, levíssimo balsâmico e ligeiro amargor. Final muito longo. Excepcional.
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4/1/2006 - Shaggy wrote: 93 Points
The colour is deep reddish/purple with bricking becoming apparent at the edges. A powerful nose of dark cherry with the meaty, earthy, and liquorice notes typical of Ribera del Duero Tempranillo. Layers of dark and red fruit, plus some espresso, liquorice, and cinnamon in the mouth. Good palette weight and a silky smooth texture developed as it got a bit more air; I'd drink it just for that texture. Beautiful balance and length, it’s fully mature and refined.
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3/13/2006 - Mike Toast wrote: 90 Points
Not a hedonistic wine, but shows a lot of personality. Nose is nothing special, body is light and even mildly thin in the midpalate, but it comes across as elegant - and the finish really makes the wine - powerful and complex. Some strong coffee/expresso notes, mixed with roasted meats and even some tobacco. Very interesting and unusual palate made it a crowd pleaser - tho not at first. Good food wine.
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12/8/2005 - jcubed wrote: 91 Points
Good. Not as oaky as last bottle. Went well with pasta dish.
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3/5/2005 - Spencer wrote: 90 Points
A nice, fully mature wine. Very well-balanced, medium-bodied, and elegant. Still showing plenty of dark and red fruit, plus some coffee, licorice, and dried herbs. Good finish. This would have been a very versatile dinner wine, but it worked just fine with cheese as well. I would drink this wine soon.
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2/26/2005 - jcubed wrote: 92 Points
Definite bricking. Woody nose initially, but eventually becomes more earthy/mushroomy. Dark, deep cherry flavors. Very balanced. Medium finish. Will not improve, but should hold for a while yet.
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1/11/2002 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 88 Points
Vineyardgate Wine Tasting: "Spanish Wines." 4-12-15-7: 88/100.
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