Nicely evolved and open, notes of tobacco, spices, vanilla, old leather, red and dark fruit. Dusty tannins on the palate, good acidity, decent depth and length. 89-91
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This was unbelievably good. It hit all the right notes of maturity but in perfect balance with its very much still present fruit and acidity. And it may have been even better on night 2. What a value! 10 years young!
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I really like the direction and development this has taken. It needed a long period of air (I slow-O'd overnight) before the full breadth of the profile could be appreciated. There was lavender, licorice, blackberry pie, cinnamon, sweet red cherry, pipe tobacco, and other floral-driven scents. The palate is better balanced than before but it still doesn't have the persistence to stretch into Riserva territory. Nonetheless, this seems to really be rewarding patience. I wish I had another 3 in the cellar. 5+12+16+8= 91
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Nearly three years since my first one and it is much easier to drink now. It’s still a bit of a big brute, but the elements overall have better balance and a longer drive to the bouquet. Still not fully harmonious and it lacks some elegance. I can’t be sure that more time will help that aspect. 5+11+5+8= 89
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Not my taste. For a Spanish wine I expected Spanish flavors. This is more modern world flavor. Although good for what it is. It is not what I expected.
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Paella Night and the Aftermath (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake, MN): Very dark red/purple color. Followed a glass over an hour plus. This has a deep brooding nose of dark fruits, hints of dill; baked blackberry palate, black cherry, tar, charcoal. The fruit seems a bit stewed and there is some heat. Score reserved.
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Fine. At first opening, overpowering oak and no fruit. Over time, more earth and herbs come out, but still lacking in fruit notes on nose and palate. I'm curious to see if this evolves into something better.
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Well oaked, with a coconut or vanilla note on the nose. A little thin on the palate, but with some pleasant black fruit, cinnamon, and herb. Simple quaff at a good price.
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Did not disappoint after tasting at Total Wine event. Blackberry and herbs with soft tannins, nice acidity giving balance. Cherry with a hint of leather. Drank over two days and second day showed a softer wine. Very good especially at the price point.
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First bottle disappointed, but the second rang true. This is like a baby version of the voluptuous 2005 Valsacro, but with more oaky roundness. Lipsmackingly delicious, no doubt. Leathery tannins; this just about satisfied as a Rioja but is best appreciated as a bottle of yummy oaky hedonism with great acid balance. Needs half an hour of air at this point. Excellent value. 14%, $18.
Very straightforward and enjoyable with pretty much anything. Served tonight with lamb biriyani for Easter dinner. It held up well and complemented a dinner with a complex spice profile. On another night it worked great with a beef roast. Nice find by Garagiste.
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I am completely impressed. Did you ever have one of those wines that is so self contained that it flies clean and lean above the fray? An integration of fruit, acid, tannins and terroir? Well if you haven't, please open this. Under 20$ as fresh as spring and as confident as weathered dock at salt waters edge. It's difficult for me to hang much on this as far as fruit or nose or or or. Instead, gorgeous deep deep deep purple, clingy insistent legs a subtle grip, all supporting a restrained fruit present (not forward) presence. The nose is shy as the wine. The grip of the tannins tells me 2020 or so, the explosive personality tells me I am sorry I have but three left. 2017 2108 2019. Good wine at 19$, I mean really, there is a Santa, only he resides in Seattle. Good work Jon.
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Followed over 12 hours in decanter and it was most enjoyable at the very end. Very dark violet color with some ink and haze at the rim. No sediment. The nose is inviting but sadly, quite generic. Some Tempranillo essence is present but I could guess any number of blends or regions to come up with this bouquet. That's okay, on the palate it is much easier to identify, and after enough time open the tannins fall into place and balance to the light earthy and leather notes to deliver a pleasant embibe. It sure doesn't have the intensity of the tremendous '05 Valsacro, but it doesn't do any disservice to this Bodega, either. I would be surprised if there isn't a strong upside over the next couple years as this plays out. 4+10+15+8= 87
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Plush, medium-full-bodied, with round tannins. A field blend of mostly Tempranillo that could easily be mistaken for a Merlot. Best within the first hour. 14% ABV. 88+
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Good wine with round edges, a lot of fruit and some nice purity. Definitely modern in style, but not a lot of character. Good QPR at $16, but wouldn't be my first choice when I think Rioja.
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4/7/2024 - mdanyc wrote: 89 Points
Dark and brooding but lots of fruit and nice with food. Improved a lot since my last bottle.
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6/30/2022 - rossi.wine wrote: 90 Points
Nicely evolved and open, notes of tobacco, spices, vanilla, old leather, red and dark fruit. Dusty tannins on the palate, good acidity, decent depth and length. 89-91
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6/1/2022 - classicalspin Likes this wine: 91 Points
I love this style of wine. This vintage is a step behind the '05, but is drinking very well now. A great value.
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12/26/2021 - linkswinelover6549 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Perfect now delicious Rioja
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12/18/2021 - mckillop Likes this wine: 89 Points
Not as good as some of my previous bottles but a solid Rioja.
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8/14/2021 - geexploitation Likes this wine:
Tea, spice, and dusty/toasty barrel notes. No fruit at this point.
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10/9/2020 - Nards10 wrote:
like
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9/26/2020 - Aparritz Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was unbelievably good. It hit all the right notes of maturity but in perfect balance with its very much still present fruit and acidity. And it may have been even better on night 2. What a value! 10 years young!
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10/31/2019 - fingers Likes this wine: 91 Points
I really like the direction and development this has taken. It needed a long period of air (I slow-O'd overnight) before the full breadth of the profile could be appreciated. There was lavender, licorice, blackberry pie, cinnamon, sweet red cherry, pipe tobacco, and other floral-driven scents. The palate is better balanced than before but it still doesn't have the persistence to stretch into Riserva territory. Nonetheless, this seems to really be rewarding patience. I wish I had another 3 in the cellar.
5+12+16+8= 91
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7/15/2019 - fingers wrote: 89 Points
Nearly three years since my first one and it is much easier to drink now. It’s still a bit of a big brute, but the elements overall have better balance and a longer drive to the bouquet. Still not fully harmonious and it lacks some elegance. I can’t be sure that more time will help that aspect. 5+11+5+8= 89
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1/17/2019 - OpuMayaQuem wrote: 85 Points
Not my taste. For a Spanish wine I expected Spanish flavors. This is more modern world flavor. Although good for what it is. It is not what I expected.
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11/5/2018 - GEMon Likes this wine: 92 Points
Scents of dark berries, coffee, and hazelnuts. Tastes of cherry cordial, smoke, coffee, and some licorice.
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10/4/2018 - TSedabres Does not like this wine: 50 Points
Completely aweful. Bad bottle, weather or other
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10/3/2018 - robertgf wrote: 85 Points
Very disappointing; not sure if it suffered from heat damage. Tarry, smokey nose with bitter finish. dumped it.
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9/30/2018 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 82 Points
Wine Dinner featuring Paella (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake): This was not to my liking. Not traditional and over the top modern. Big fruits and alcoholic. Too much wood. No balance and no acidity. Dump this one out.
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9/29/2018 - rocknroller wrote:
Paella Night and the Aftermath (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake, MN): Very dark red/purple color. Followed a glass over an hour plus. This has a deep brooding nose of dark fruits, hints of dill; baked blackberry palate, black cherry, tar, charcoal. The fruit seems a bit stewed and there is some heat. Score reserved.
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9/18/2018 - geexploitation wrote:
Fine. At first opening, overpowering oak and no fruit. Over time, more earth and herbs come out, but still lacking in fruit notes on nose and palate. I'm curious to see if this evolves into something better.
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7/22/2018 - Mr T wrote:
nothing fancy...pleasant drink
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5/28/2018 - j.a.price.trucking wrote: 86 Points
Neither bad nor good. Entirely drinkable. Ripe and smooth. Pleasant iodine rioja finish. Just came up a little empty on verve.
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5/5/2018 - Stephan O wrote: 88 Points
Well oaked, with a coconut or vanilla note on the nose. A little thin on the palate, but with some pleasant black fruit, cinnamon, and herb. Simple quaff at a good price.
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1/24/2018 - pommieba@cox.net Likes this wine: 89 Points
Did not disappoint after tasting at Total Wine event. Blackberry and herbs with soft tannins, nice acidity giving balance. Cherry with a hint of leather. Drank over two days and second day showed a softer wine. Very good especially at the price point.
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9/27/2017 - Kbell_98 Likes this wine: 85 Points
Very smooth, easy drinking on taco night!
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8/17/2017 - Benj Likes this wine: 90 Points
First bottle disappointed, but the second rang true. This is like a baby version of the voluptuous 2005 Valsacro, but with more oaky roundness. Lipsmackingly delicious, no doubt. Leathery tannins; this just about satisfied as a Rioja but is best appreciated as a bottle of yummy oaky hedonism with great acid balance. Needs half an hour of air at this point. Excellent value. 14%, $18.
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7/29/2017 - TomH wrote: 88 Points
This is a pure vin de plaisir. Oodles of ripe (but not overripe) purple fruit, suggestions of spice, plenty of vanillin oak, and thoroughly modern.
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6/14/2017 - geraldavery wrote:
Very yummy with "Mexican" burgers with grilled onion and avocado.... so amazing!!!!
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6/10/2017 - winoma Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice balanced wine and a good value. I think it will improve with some more time in the cellar.
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4/16/2017 - NAS Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very straightforward and enjoyable with pretty much anything. Served tonight with lamb biriyani for Easter dinner. It held up well and complemented a dinner with a complex spice profile. On another night it worked great with a beef roast. Nice find by Garagiste.
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3/18/2017 - Mr T wrote:
similar to last bottle. Not sure I really get Rioja when I drink this, but love the flavors
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12/27/2016 - redz wrote: 91 Points
still young, but solid rioja
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12/24/2016 - Mr T wrote:
Great PNP with ham dinner two nights before Xmas
Loved the 2001 years ago and this remains pure pleasure
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12/21/2016 - Ideasthatstick Likes this wine:
I am completely impressed. Did you ever have one of those wines that is so self contained that it flies clean and lean above the fray? An integration of fruit, acid, tannins and terroir? Well if you haven't, please open this. Under 20$ as fresh as spring and as confident as weathered dock at salt waters edge. It's difficult for me to hang much on this as far as fruit or nose or or or. Instead, gorgeous deep deep deep purple, clingy insistent legs a subtle grip, all supporting a restrained fruit present (not forward) presence. The nose is shy as the wine. The grip of the tannins tells me 2020 or so, the explosive personality tells me I am sorry I have but three left. 2017 2108 2019. Good wine at 19$, I mean really, there is a Santa, only he resides in Seattle. Good work Jon.
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11/17/2016 - fingers wrote: 87 Points
Followed over 12 hours in decanter and it was most enjoyable at the very end. Very dark violet color with some ink and haze at the rim. No sediment. The nose is inviting but sadly, quite generic. Some Tempranillo essence is present but I could guess any number of blends or regions to come up with this bouquet. That's okay, on the palate it is much easier to identify, and after enough time open the tannins fall into place and balance to the light earthy and leather notes to deliver a pleasant embibe. It sure doesn't have the intensity of the tremendous '05 Valsacro, but it doesn't do any disservice to this Bodega, either. I would be surprised if there isn't a strong upside over the next couple years as this plays out. 4+10+15+8= 87
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11/13/2016 - joraesque wrote: 88 Points
Plush, medium-full-bodied, with round tannins. A field blend of mostly Tempranillo that could easily be mistaken for a Merlot. Best within the first hour. 14% ABV.
88+
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11/10/2016 - Bob Sacamano wrote: 89 Points
Good wine with round edges, a lot of fruit and some nice purity. Definitely modern in style, but not a lot of character. Good QPR at $16, but wouldn't be my first choice when I think Rioja.
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9/17/2016 - nymetz Likes this wine: 90 Points
good everyday wine - full of body and soft fruit
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3/5/2013 - RogerG wrote:
tasty
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