Drank a bottle off the wine list at Tapas Club. 1.5 hours over dinner. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs. Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, with aromas of vanilla, black cherries, blackberries, dark stony earth, black licorice, woody cedar spice, and wild brambles and herbs with more air. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.5%), smooth and fine high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet black cerries, sweet blackberry compote, black licorice, integrated vanilla, stony earth minerality, slight grilled herbs and spiciness with more air. Juicy powerful long finish. Very good quality. Very approachable and open wine right from the get-go. Oak already integrated. Went very well with Paella and beef. Drink now and over the next 4+ years. Blend of 60% Garnacha, 40% Carignan, and a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 14 months in 30% new French oak and 70% in foudres.
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WSET Diploma blinds Practice (SF): (blind) Clear, deep ruby, with tears. Clean nose, medium plus intensity. - Dried red cherry - wet leaves - animal fur (brett) - anise, dried cinnamon, liquorice (oak) Palate - dry - medium plus body - medium plus acid I forgot to note the alcohol. (actually high - 14.5%!) - medium plus tannins - ripe and rounded - medium plus flavor intensity - long finish, complex and evolving Dried sour red cherry, sawdust, cinnamon (oak)
Final conclusion: This is a very good Reserva-level Rioja. It shows prominent oak and red fruit, and it's complex and evolving on the finish. The tannic structure is a bit harsh compared to the best examples.
In hindsight, the structure was aggressive enough, and the dark fruit was prominent enough that I should have considered Priorato. Actually: Priorat
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Eðalklúbbur, vínsmakk #2 vor 2017 (Marbakkabraut 12): Frekar dökkur litur. Í byrjun var smá brennisteinsfýla af víninu en það rjátlaði nú af því. Annars þungur og höfugur ilmur. Steinefni. Mjög bragðmikið. Mikil sæta, jarðarber, lakkrís, pipar. Beiskir tónar í lokin. Vín sem kostar um 19€ frá VinoVí.
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This wine is superb. I'm terrible at describing wine, but I'm trying a new method I've seen here on CT:
The wine looks violet and clear. The wine smells like caramel. The wine tastes like delicious black cherries and cassis (I think). The finish is of moderate length and is quite delightful. Overall impression is that I really like this wine.
8+8+9+7+8 = 41 +50 = 90
Not sure I like this rating system, which just reinforces that I'm terrible at describing wine, but I think this wine is terrific and really a phenomenal value. Hope to get more.
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Nice! Very good value for money, espacially when you think of Priorat wines and their prizing. Dense fruit, chocolate, malty and with good integration of the 15% alcohol. Would and will buy again. Even so I can´t see the 95 PP in this wine.
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Monthly Tuesday group The Dead Sparrow #011: Priorat (By PS): In the bouquet coffee and caramel, sweet spices and sweet licorice. On the palate all impressions are there as well. Ripe fruits, good juice, some coffee and pepper, pleasant acidity and tannin. A harmonious and complete wine
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Drank a while back and just recording general thoughts. Not the elegant Priorat that has stood out from the crowd in previous vintages (08 and earlier I think). May have had this younger than those but I don't see time curing.
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Tiefes Purpur-Rot im Glas, tolle Schlieren am Glasrand. Aber noch sehr jung. Rund, Harmoninisch aber braucht sicher noch Zeit um sich entwickeln zu können.
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9/5/2023 - Isobel goudi Likes this wine: 88 Points
Siehe bisherige Bewertungen
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3/26/2023 - bonedoc wrote: 93 Points
Delicious w tacos!
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10/4/2022 - broadband013 wrote: 91 Points
Bon et prêt mais il a encore quelques années devant lui
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5/16/2022 - bonedoc wrote:
a touch of brett which blew off 2nd night - nicely done, good concentration, good qpr
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2/7/2022 - bonedoc wrote: 92 Points
This wine is terrific for the price.
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10/30/2020 - Higgie wrote: 90 Points
Great wine. Spicy, yet fruity. Nice in nose and mouth!
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2/2/2020 - Higgie wrote: 90 Points
Very round and harmonic
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11/21/2019 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 90 Points
Excellent value wine.
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10/6/2019 - Isobel goudi Likes this wine: 89 Points
Braucht Luft. Dunkle früchte, Würze, Pfeffer. Mittlerer Körper trotz 15 Umdrehungen. Abgang okay
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6/11/2019 - Marmaras Likes this wine: 92 Points
A great bouquet of red berries, present but pleasant tannins, tasteful finish, a very good wine from the Priorat area!
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5/29/2019 - mollercellar Likes this wine:
Lidt syre tilbage.
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5/26/2018 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pop and pour. Great wine. Great QPR.
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12/30/2017 - Isobel goudi Likes this wine: 89 Points
Tiefes Violett. Kirchenfenster. Dicht, fest, aber auch alkoholisch. Besser noch 1-2 Jahre liegen lassen. Oder 1 Tag später trinken.
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12/17/2017 - Christian von Dresky wrote: 87 Points
Preis Leistung für Priorat gut aber es lohnt sich in dieser Region mehr als 10 Euro auszugeben.
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10/29/2017 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 92 Points
Drank a bottle off the wine list at Tapas Club. 1.5 hours over dinner.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, pronounced intensity, with aromas of vanilla, black cherries, blackberries, dark stony earth, black licorice, woody cedar spice, and wild brambles and herbs with more air. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, high alcohol (14.5%), smooth and fine high tannins, full body. Pronounced flavour intensity, with flavours of sweet black cerries, sweet blackberry compote, black licorice, integrated vanilla, stony earth minerality, slight grilled herbs and spiciness with more air. Juicy powerful long finish.
Very good quality. Very approachable and open wine right from the get-go. Oak already integrated. Went very well with Paella and beef. Drink now and over the next 4+ years.
Blend of 60% Garnacha, 40% Carignan, and a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 14 months in 30% new French oak and 70% in foudres.
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4/22/2017 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 88 Points
WSET Diploma blinds Practice (SF): (blind)
Clear, deep ruby, with tears.
Clean nose, medium plus intensity.
- Dried red cherry
- wet leaves
- animal fur (brett)
- anise, dried cinnamon, liquorice (oak)
Palate
- dry
- medium plus body
- medium plus acid
I forgot to note the alcohol. (actually high - 14.5%!)
- medium plus tannins - ripe and rounded
- medium plus flavor intensity
- long finish, complex and evolving
Dried sour red cherry, sawdust, cinnamon (oak)
Final conclusion:
This is a very good Reserva-level Rioja. It shows prominent oak and red fruit, and it's complex and evolving on the finish. The tannic structure is a bit harsh compared to the best examples.
In hindsight, the structure was aggressive enough, and the dark fruit was prominent enough that I should have considered Priorato.
Actually: Priorat
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2/24/2017 - bitdrerik wrote: 88 Points
Eðalklúbbur, vínsmakk #2 vor 2017 (Marbakkabraut 12): Frekar dökkur litur. Í byrjun var smá brennisteinsfýla af víninu en það rjátlaði nú af því. Annars þungur og höfugur ilmur. Steinefni. Mjög bragðmikið. Mikil sæta, jarðarber, lakkrís, pipar. Beiskir tónar í lokin. Vín sem kostar um 19€ frá VinoVí.
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2/2/2017 - bobadopolis Likes this wine: 90 Points
This wine is superb. I'm terrible at describing wine, but I'm trying a new method I've seen here on CT:
The wine looks violet and clear.
The wine smells like caramel.
The wine tastes like delicious black cherries and cassis (I think).
The finish is of moderate length and is quite delightful.
Overall impression is that I really like this wine.
8+8+9+7+8 = 41 +50 = 90
Not sure I like this rating system, which just reinforces that I'm terrible at describing wine, but I think this wine is terrific and really a phenomenal value. Hope to get more.
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9/28/2016 - Christian von Dresky Likes this wine: 87 Points
Nice! Very good value for money, espacially when you think of Priorat wines and their prizing. Dense fruit, chocolate, malty and with good integration of the 15% alcohol. Would and will buy again. Even so I can´t see the 95 PP in this wine.
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9/20/2016 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Monthly Tuesday group The Dead Sparrow #011: Priorat (By PS): In the bouquet coffee and caramel, sweet spices and sweet licorice. On the palate all impressions are there as well. Ripe fruits, good juice, some coffee and pepper, pleasant acidity and tannin. A harmonious and complete wine
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5/21/2016 - Cofxc Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Drank a while back and just recording general thoughts. Not the elegant Priorat that has stood out from the crowd in previous vintages (08 and earlier I think). May have had this younger than those but I don't see time curing.
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4/27/2016 - Sir-Harrie wrote: 90 Points
Tiefes Purpur-Rot im Glas, tolle Schlieren am Glasrand. Aber noch sehr jung. Rund, Harmoninisch aber braucht sicher noch Zeit um sich entwickeln zu können.
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