One of my favorite producers! Ruby red with some bricking. Nose of red cherry, vanilla, cloves and tobacco. On the palate red cherry, vanilla, cloves, chocolate, leather and cigar box. Velvety tannins with surprising acidity and a medium to long finish. Very elegant and obviously could take a long while more of cellar age. Excellent!
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Erik's. Coconut and dill from the American oak came out first followed by plum, dried spices and earth. Medium bodied, good balance and a long finsih, but good as it is it will get better. Leave these alone if you can!
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Three hour decant. Light garnet. Plum, red berries, dried spices and dusty earth notes. Medium bodied, smooth with great balance. Chalky tannins. Long finish. Paired well with cube steak and vegetables.
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Brought this wine to Tunglok Signatures (Clarke Quay) for dinner with my family to welcome my sister-in-law and to celebrate the Chinese New Year. We had Deep Fried Fish Skin with Salted Egg, Crispy Roast Pork Belly, Double Boiled Fish Maw Soup with Sakura Chicken, Roast Irish Duck, Garoupa prepared in two ways (Steamed and Deep Fried), Boiled Chinese Cabbage with Minced Pork and Dried Shrimp, Sautéed Beef Cubes with Wild Fungus, Roast Suckling Pig with Glutinous Rice and Fried Chinese New Year Sweet Rice Cake.
Decanted for 1.5 hours before serving. An outstanding wine. Impeccable balance with mastery interplay between fruit, acidity, and oak. Seamless integration with a long, complex finish. Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano.
On the nose the bouquet of red berries, dried cherries, and subtle hints of vanilla danced around effortlessly, unfolding a symphony of flavors.
On the palate, the red fruits, dried figs, dry leather all contributed to the pairing of the wine and the food. Velvety tannins ensuring the freshness of the wine, bringing out notes of tobacco, cedar and liquorice.
Outstanding Rioja. Full bodied, long lingering taste. Only 3 bottles left - have to wait several years to see how it develops, since so many people think this will drink well into the early 30's. I think it has been excellent for several years now, but I will move my soonest date to 2026, to make sure I save.
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Fast forward 5 years (from my Sept 2019 TN) things have changed quite a lot. The AmOak show more as Cedar. Tannins are more resolved. Nice refreshing acidity. Some non viscous sweetness. Much more feminine now. It was hands down the wine of the night for the Figs and Lisa and I. 92- pts. Can be easily enjoyed now, but I suspect it will be better still in another 5 yrs.
Tempranillo (90%) from old vines supplemented by Graciano, aged 54 months in American oak barrels (made in-house), racked every six months using traditional barrel-to-barrel methods. Acidity 5.9 g/l, alcohol 13.5% vol.
Decanted 5 hours before dinner what was not bad. Sour cherry, black berries and a suggestion of licorice and tar, on the palate fresh and dry, good density, long finish. Has nicely developed within the last 30 months and it is much more balanced now. All in all a superb classic, elegant Rioja, reaches slowly its peak and will go for some years on this level but it is most probably not the long runner as in the best vintages, so drink within the next 6 to 10 years.
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In a good place right now. Dark red. Lush nose with dark fruit, oak, hints of mint, licorice, and leather. The palate is full bodied. Soursweet fruit, dill, mint, oak, chocolate, tobacco, and leather. High acidity, medium length. Flat.
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Smells heady and perfumed! Very finely integrated tannins, medium bodied with a lengthy, sophisticated finish. Tastes thin? A very ‘premium’ feel. Perfume and oak. Lovely.
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First bottle of this from a recent auction lot. Pnp'd for our new friends to a weird, sour/rotting vegetable note coming from the bottle. Not corked. After a few minutes this was replaced by a decidedly stemmy/weedy green sagey nose. Color in the glass was still quite strong, maybe a medium garnet color and zero bricking. The palate was more forgiving than the nose and could be drunk after an hour, but you really didn't want to! This bottle took all of 5-6 hours in the decanter to finally blow off its funkiness and shine on both nose and palate. It was very resolved, balanced and enjoyable at that point. Red fruited, earthy, and aged just right. Bordered on a 92 for me as it drank and felt like a nicely aged Bdx in a way. Definitely an 'old school' type of Rioja. Not sure though where the upper 90's score from WA comes in? Maybe this was an off bottle and my other 2 will perform even better?
90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from Brinas, Labastida and Villalba vineyards
Medium to full body, mature ruby colour. Impressive and complex aroma of red and black fruits, vanilla and sweet tobacco complemented by liquorice, balsamic and musky background. Rich palate of sweet cherry, blueberry and plum following by lingering juicy finish. Outstanding wine, concentrated but velvety, elegant and still very fresh, rounding, silky tannins and wild berries acidity. Food friendly, well pairing to chicken puchero. Open one hour ahead. Serve 16ºC - 20ºC. Drink now and the next eight/ten years, perhaps longer.
Bonito color picota de capa media y muy brillante. De cantado unas dos horas, Aroma de intensidad media, fruta roja y negra apimentada, rosas,. Tierra mojada, con un fondo de leña quemada o carbón. La boca es aterciopelada, suave, muy equilibrada, todo bien integrado con excelente acidez y expresividad frutal remarcable. Final largo Un excelente Rioja clásico al que le falta un poco de tiempo para ser grande.
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Still on the younger side for SURE, but compared to 2020's note on this wine I think this is definitely a good bit more refined. The nose is red rose petal, red clay, red cherry. Pours a rusty red color to the glass. The palate is dirty red cherry, volcanic ash, figs and salted red prunes, finishing with tobacco and earthy character and modest tannin on the finish. Medium + bodied wine and went well with grilled chicken stuffed poblano peppers infused with a moderately hot tomatillo sauce. Although this wine is super good, I'd resist the urge to open if you like these a little more on the 'dirty' side. I tend to like these a little more earthy which this one will probably not achieve for another 5-7 years. My advice to you is: drink the 2004s. If you have them (I supposedly do, but darned if I can FIND it...).
Compared to earlier tastings, at is a bit more developed and I think, it's an around it's peak right now as it stills has its fruit but combined with some maturity.
Drink (or hold).
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Wish I had more bottles, and back vintages don’t seem to come up anymore let alone recent releases of 904 from last few years. Definitely more approacheable after a splash decant and sitting for 45 minutes although I would have done 2 hours in a wider decanter. Plentiful sweet ripe dark fruit on the nose and much elegance with ample acidity, with some oak notes coming through around half way, that faded away with food.
Corkaged to a Spanish restaurant with a range of tapas, and paired with virtually anything that had a bit of spice, garlic olive oil oyster mushrooms, chicken & seafood paella (dead perfect), trotter and tripe stew, squid with squid ink. Nothing wrong with a lower vintage scored bottling, it has its merit with food pairing. This can still age for longer, but it is so giving now with the balance of fruit which I think is important when you have very savory rich food (and enhanced with Iberico far in many dishes). 2010s probably can wait longer but if opening now I’d decant longer and make sure there is at the vet least lamb for the pairing.
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890 was not released so the best grapes were used to produce this beautiful GR made from Tempranillo with 10% Graciano. Wine was aged for 4 years in used US oak. Medium+ ruby colour. Explosively perfumed and complex aroma of strawberries, cherries, coconut, leather, dry earth, roses, smoked meat, incense, cedar, hint of tobacco and nutmeg. Medium body, concentrated, deep and layered complex flavours, vibrant and rich acidity along finely grained powdery tannins concludes long and spiced with touch of new oak.
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Look: Garnet red getting paler and brick brown at rim.
Nose: Boom! Cherry! An explosion of fruit at the front, a small amount of black fruit hedgerow underneath and then a fair bit of vanilla. This smells like it's going to be a fruit powerhouse. With some time in the glass some barnyard manure smells start to come out as well.
Palette: Amazingly balanced, not the jammy bomb the nose initially suggests. The cherry, plum and blackberry are harmoniously balanced, with the vanilla becoming much more prominent and more forward. Velvet smooth tannins, adding a hint of ground pepper and coriander. Nice acidity and complexity with good length.
This is a fantastic wine. For the price I doubt there is anything better.
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Strong American oak notes of coconut and vanilla which are fairly well integrated with the red fruit. Very classical and smooth to drink. Improved slightly with time in the decanter.
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Thai Restaurant. 5 out of 3 chilli rating for the food. And the wine comes out phenomenal. Red Currant at its best. Silk. Body. Length. Complexity. All there. Great experience.
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This is not my typical style of wine that I enjoy. However, there is something about it that I love. So much so, I’m going to try to buy more. It is one of those wines that I wouldn’t want to drink every week, but once every six months is a good cycle. Pop n poured. Served with Napolitano style pizza.
$50+ and 10 Year Old Plus Spanish Blind Tasting (Bin 75 Alpharetta, GA): Dull aged maroon crimson, semitransparent, thinner brick rim; lots of singed herb on the nose, musk, age, some sweet and dried cranberry, fruitcake and spice, oak influenced but not dominating, really balanced; probably has more age on it than you think- '09 Prado Enea?; style of this wine seems to be improving as the oak is less at the forefront?, maybe I'm a secret admirer of American oak and am almost ready to share it with the world...?
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Balsamic aromas of cedar and sandalwood, and wood spices, roasted coffee, celery salt. Round and fruity, with candied berries and wood spice...vanilla flavours. Medium finish...sour cherries. Ready to drink.
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Very disappointing. Still too young and not fully integrated wood bothered me. I personally can't stand when a so called luxury wine has a woody, vanilla flavor. Not so attractive for the time being.
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Happy Father's Day! Another great opportunity to celebrate :) Perfect mariage between this fine Gran Reserva and home-made paella. A medley of spices, dried fruit, burnt caramel underpinned by a structure of cedar and smoky leather that carries it to the finish. One younger palate detected some thinness that seemed to ameliorate during dinner (phew..)
For more please watch below at YT channel Pandewine
https://youtu.be/cHrQgzJGQko
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Concentrated red, super freshness in the nose. Very open, fruity. Well integrated, balanced and young on the palate, cherry, plum and wild herbs. Good structure. Very nice. Will hold several years,
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Popped and slow ox'd for a couple of hours. Dark crimson color. Definitely get a bit of sweet American oak on the nose with some dill and dark plummy fruit. Similar flavors on the palate with black cherry and plum notes. Medium acid and tannin. Smooth mouthfeel. Overall, quite tasty and enjoyable but not overly complex for the pedigree.
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Red berries, some raising, sweet extract and in the end some strawberry essence. This ist always a very good wine, even though 2009 is a warmer year and you may sence it.
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Delicious as always. Classic northern Rioja with lots of American oak, dry, savory but still fairly rich fruit. Great acidity and a long finish that leaves you with a slight hint of musty old cellar. (but in a good way!) Year in and year out, one of my favorites. I think I've had better years but this is still top notch stuff. While it definitely improves with hours in the glass, a short decant can often be enough with this wine.
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Rioja: This is - like the Ardanza 2009 - showing really well already this young (contrary to the 2007 for example). This is quite bright with strawberries, herbs, earth, coconut and dill. The oak is obvious of course, but already integrated quite nicely. Powerful, but harmonious, with fine tannins, impressive structure and length. Great wine, very complete already. 18/20
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Immediately open for business, this is a top Rioja Gran Reserva. On the nose are red fruits and sweet wafts of roses. Color is deep ruby, and on the palate it's full bodied with red fruits, cherry, firm tannins and enough acidity to bring perfect balance. In the middle is a satisfying bitter cherry and fruit stone, and on the finish is a lingering bitter tannic tang. There is a lot to pack the cheeks to boot. Whilst still youthful, this Gran Reserva is already in a lovely zone, and it should only improve from here over the next 5+ years.
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This is really expressive on the nose and the palate. Beautiful rustic red fruit, dusty earth, dried herbs, tobacco, dried roses, a subtly smokiness with good acidity. There's an elegance that comes across here.
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Dead on arrival. Sharp unpleasent fragent dominates the nose. I can find some leather and wood in there, but its subtle. On the tounge: flat, the fruit is lacking. The acidity is prominent. Something is not right with this bottle when compairing to other notes.
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This is great again. So liable and steady in its performance. Ripe but fresh, ready to go but also capable of ageing for 20 or more years. Very good and always worth its pricem
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Random coravin Glass between Aussie cab and very good burgundy, and this absolutely shines for me. Such great balance, precision, fantastic nose, fruit and tannins in perfect harmony. Absolute joy…
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Probably the best Rioja I’ve tasted to date. Rich on the nose with tobacco, leather, plums and vanilla. Smooth to the taste with few tannins left but still noticeable. Will try another bottle next year for comparison.
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Medium brick-red colour. N: intensely fragrant, aromas of baked plums, smoked meats, cherries, loam, smoked meats, American oak, vanilla, dried roses. P: intense flavours, M- well integrated tannins, m+ acid, m+ body, M alcohol, really bold and rich still retaining verve and freshness. Flavours of baked plums, dark fruits, smoked meat, dried green olives, over ripe strawberries, garrigue and loam. Drinking wonderfully now and will probably continue to for the next 5 years or so, thoroughly enjoyable as all of the LRA wines are.
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I generally love this house, and the 2009 904 is good, but it’s not a great vintage. A little shy for my taste, and not because it’s closed and will show more later (though older is usually better for the first 15-40 years of this wine), but more because it’s just a little thin compared to other vintages. (The 2010, for instance, will need considerably more time, but is clearly a much better and more complex bottle. And I rated the 2005 a 97 the last time I tasted it, for reference.)
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Assez approchable et proche de l`équilibre. Le boisé est bien dosé, le fruit asses dense, Il y a de belles épices, les tannins charnus et la finale bien longue avec une pointe de chauffe. Excellent!
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Nez sur fruit rouge au départ,developpe des notes sucrées par la suite. Belle aciditè qui apporte belle fraîcheur. Ampleur moyenne, belle longueur. Fort agréable maintenant mais pour plusieurs années également.
Garnet hues in glass. More traditional style of rioja. Light on its feet, with some tertiary characteristics on the nose hinting at development. Black fruit, blackberry, cigar box, leather and sweet spices.
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Decanted 5 hours before dinner and it still improved in the glass. Nice nose with black berries, forest floor and ethereal notes, on the palate high acidity, full bodied and long, but the balance is not yet there where it has to be, needs some more years in the cellar. If you can't wait to taste this wine, a very long decant is highly recommended, else it is not real fun. 91 points now with the potential for 93 points in 5 to 10 years, very good but not as great as other recent vintages I have tasted, which were outstanding.
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This is seriously good stuff. The fruit, the acidity and firm structure. Should go for at least 10-15 years, but absolute pleasure to drink now. I gave 2010 94 points. Not sure there is that much difference to 2009. maybe I am unfair and should try them in a mini vertical...
Very nicely done. Intense nose. Rich vanilla oak, dark fruit, tobacco and a stalky green scent. In the mouth this is very nicely structured and full bodied. Loads of oak of course, along with stewed fruits, prune and black olive flavours. Tannins and acidity are well in check here. This is drinking very well now, but of course has many years ahead of it. Excellent wine.
La Rioja Alta Zoom Tasting with Sunfish Cellars; 1/19/2021-1/20/2021 (Online Zoom): Day 1: Opening early for the Sunfish Cellars La Rioja Alta Zoom on Thursday. This is right there with the Ardanza but I can tell this needs some cellaring time. Tobacco, bay leaves, raspberries, subtle dill, wood, stone and earth. Good acidity and medium to long finish. This should age nicely for 20 years. Love the 904. 92 to 94 points. Day 2: This has improved and no surprise cellar this wine for five plus years. I always like to try one of these young to ensure I will buy more. Raspberries, saddlewood, bay leaves, earth, tobacco and mild dill. Very dry but love this style. Medium to long finish. 93 points
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Had South Loop cellar tasting and it was my #6 overall (out of 50). Had at house for Jean/Marilyn going away - it was excellent. 3 hour decant, still primary, touch of acidity, light stewed fruit. Some tension, tannin, fruit. Went down very smooth and didn't disappoint. This could be 94/95 in future.
opened up for 3 hours in bottle; notes of toffee and orange zest with a hint of licorice on the nose, firm tannins on mouthfeel but not overpowering, had with asparagus, red pesto small shells with spicy sausage (started with an aged gouda and soft grueye cheese). Delicious
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Ripe, fresh and elegant, with some earthy and mineral flavors, and good balance and length. Was open and approachable tonight, but has a long life ahead of it. Excellent bottle.
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Briefly, stood upright, open, for a couple of hours (although there was minimal sediment to settle) then decanted for 3 more. This was in a really nice place - a very nice balance: solid acidity, but balanced with nice fruit and well-integrated and smooth tannins. It complemented some soft cheeses very nicely.
Again, my only negative comment is a certain lack of complexity, but it's a very nice wine.
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Thanksgiving 2020, this tied for WON next to a 2012 Cayuse Cailloux. Just a few of us podding together, all were blown away at how this 904 continued to blossom after being open for a few hours. The nose started off with straightforward notes of toasted coconut, pipe tobacco and cranberry flavors, with the pallet showing similarly. Soon after, the wine completely opened up for business with pungent notes of sweaty leather, truffles, forest floor, blood and iron. Definitely a little high toned, with acidity for days, but paired beautifully with the flavors on the table. What was so impressive about this rustic, traditionally styled Rioja is that it stood right up next to the Cayuse on the table, which was modern, riper, full of umami, saline and blue fruit. This 904 however was an elegant wine, perhaps too early to open today, but nevertheless absolutely lovely and undeniably powerful. If drinking now, give it a couple of hours in the decanter to open, then put back in the bottle before drinking.
Thanksgiving 2020. Decanted two hours before tasting. Quiet red fruit, with a nice, if short, floral finish, and some mild, rustic tannins. I appreciate the restraint and traditional style, but at the end of the day I'm just not getting all that much structure or nuance. That said, the vegetal and herbaceous elements played really well off of the fall harvest flavors.
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Informal dinner, no detailed notes. Dark fruit, licorice, very herbal, tobacco on the nose and palate. As always these wines are light and fresh but with good intensity and the right amount of charm and creaminess. Not the most complex wine but very harmonious and round. This seems good to go right now but we all know, that these wines can develop for decades. I’m not sure however, if it will get much better from here.
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Tasted blind with no decant. First impression was smoked tobacco, dark berries with additional mineral and herbal elements followed by a bit of sweet spice. Some slightly unripe green notes too, however. Fresh with depth and concentration on the palate. Not yet well integrated but well-structured and already more refined than the 2007, in my view.
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What will surely be a legendary wine in the decades to come. Has a bit more modernity in the bottle than Heredia but no matter - all fits perfectly and is in great harmony. Drank superb now but I believe it has decades to go.
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Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%) from vines over 60 years old in vineyards in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba. Aged 4 years in 4-year old American oak barrels (built in house).
A(ccuracy)=2: Med deep garnet. Refined, focused varietal with distinctive coconut overtone of American oak. B(alance)=2: Fine components though still oak dominant. C(omplexity)=2: Ripe fruit, cinnamon, licorice, tobacco, leather. D(epth)=2: Tangy mouthfeel; impressive length and finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,2,2] = 8/10
Can benefit from further aging or extended decant.
For story-telling label graphics, see: [https://www.instagram.com/WineTally2020/] [https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/] For a unique multimedia resource, see [https://winetally.wixsite.com/vingnette2020]
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After a 2 hour decant... The nose is rich dark red fruits with a touch of oak/vanilla. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, nicely balanced fruit, integrated oak, fine tannins and medium- acidity.
Overall it's very pleasant and going well with herbed lamb meatballs and pasta. My only criticism is that it is rather one-dimensional with little if any complexity revealing itself.
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Very consistent with my tasting note from May 2020. This is drinking really great right now. Picking up a little more coconut this time, but that’s no surprise due to the barrel type used in aging. Rioja is not my typical style of wine, but this wine makes me want to explore Rioja some more.
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Not as exquisite as the 2010, but still excellent. Slightly fuller body, more dill/chard/dried leaves/cedar notes. Also tobacco, brown sugar, coconut and cocoa.
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Medium, clean ruby. Nice typicity. Mid-weight, red and raw black fruit, spicebox, a characteristic green vegetal element. Medium finish, tannins in a good place. Elegant and structured, without making a big deal about it. Tastes very fresh, no rush on this whatsoever. Turned just a shade bitter and brackish after open for 3+ hours.
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Good stuff. Yes... there is red fruit and American oak woody flavor as others have noted but I actually get more blueberry pie with a vanilla crust and a slightly overripe raisin finish. Anyone with me?
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Decanted 3 hrs. A lot of the hub bub on this wine from WB is that since 2001 or, so this wine is over the top in its oak treatment and should be shunned at all costs. I was pleasantly surprised with this bottle. Sure, there is some gloss, but nothing more than most wines that have a % of new wood. Furthermore, I found a lot of tension and grip, red fruits and a good tannic edge. Smoky, and consistent to the finish. I would to try to the 2010.
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Nez eucalyptus, châssis, expressif. En bouche, tout est en rondeur,belle équilibre les tanins sont bien fondus. Belle finale sur des notes animales. Fort plaisant maintenant.
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What a different tasting note to last time (didn't wait the decade I planned as COVID has me short of options to drink).
Exceptionally fragrant. The house style (and the oak-varnish character) is clearly visible but this has for me a purer nose and more elegance than say the 2007 at a similar age. Creamy red fruits. Crunchy acidity. Lingering, juicy finish. Drinking quite well now although I am sure another 5-10 years wouldn’t hurt.
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Mid ruby. Soft tannins. Lively, bright and fresh. Ripe red fruits, notes of cherries, strawberries marmalade. Slight oak but well integrated. Some vanilla notes.
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Nice medium body, lots of cherry, dark fruit, some caramel and dark chocolate, medium+ acidity, still pretty tannic. I think this is still not in the prime drinking window but is pretty nice (although I'm not convinced it's worth the extra $$ over the Ardanza).
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Deep Ruby red in color. Earthy wine, on the nose there's cinnamon spices, nutmeg, mushroom, well balanced, elegant, good amount of acidity to balance the earth. Great wine.
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Medium bodied,dark ruby red. Nose - stewed red fruits, cherries. Palate - smooth and needed to breathe before opening up. Cherries, plums, earthy, little tannins. Finish - long, some chocolate, earthy. Overall, very easy drinking!
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Classics of Spain Tasting (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting, small glass. More modern than the López de Heredia just tasted, but what isn't? Rich but simultaneously very well balanced. In its peak drinking window with medium weight, but nuanced and fun flavors and textures from middle forward.
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Kind of in a weird spot. But I am almost 100% sure that this weird spot is because it's just way too young. The nose on this is dirty red cherry, a little herb, tobacco. The palate started off very youthful, and then went to a more herbal side, then developed a tart on the finish that was actually a bit off-putting. I am not sure that I recall this from previous experiences. I'll probably let the other bottle rest for a while. Or might just push it to the back of the tube and forget about it altogether until someone reminds me that I've got it. Either way, this wine is not ready to go yet. I'd drink the 01's instead!
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Mye vanilje og litt urter ved åpning, men det integreres flott etter lufting. Blåbær, blomster, moreller, anis, tobakk, stein. Floral og forførende til Rioja å være. Imponerende vin. Lang. 92
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My first bottle from this relatively young vintage, I do not purchase this bottling any longer with a case or more and some Magnums, the reason is that the change of style since the 2001 release is evident, this bottle does not need a lot of decant, right from the start it is showing its silky, juicy fruit, clearly american oak though, which gives structure and herbal and tertiary aromas, but for me this bottling has changed to a modern crowd pleaser, not filled to age for decades further more, everything is well made, but the former acidic punch in the background which reminds you to cellar the rest of the bottles for some more time (decade++) is missing, so this is a very good modern, persistent, spicy Rioja Gran Reserva, but no one really knows how this one will age, to enjoy from now on, **(*-****?), 90(+?) potential
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Praelum - La Casa de Vino (Praelum Wine Bistro): Pale ruby with fading garnet edges, and a starlight brightness. Very developed nose, with coffee, cocoa, truffles, forest floor, moss aromas. Rounded tannins, some alcohol punch, chocolate, charcuterie, mesquite smokes, and some roses and red cherries show up at the back. Very complex, and a great length. Impressive!
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Decanted about 45 mins. drinking well, sour cherry, dried leaves, earthy, but still youthful and a touch primary. I think this only has upside from here as the oak integrates a little better.
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Pnp, drank over 3-4 hrs, HAZEO really nails it with earthy cherries and dried tea leaves, I get much less vanilla than past vintages I've had, also missing some of that forward ripe raspberry on the nose (this is first 15 min open and just shipped yesterday), persistent raspberry and spice on the palate, lengthy finish, a little tight at the moment, will check back after some air but I think this is in need of time in the bottle. After 4 hrs nose hasnt budged, still tight, palate fleshed out a bit, nice acid and solid structure, still young but very enjoyable.
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Still one of my favourite value for money Rioja … that is, if you like them a mix of traditional and modern. Pop and poured and really hits the spot after a couple hours in the glass with it’s earthy cherries and dried tea leaves goodness,
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I had to open another bottle. Medium ruby in colour. Complex nose of red fruit, red cherry, cucumber, iodine, coffee, cocoa, spices, vanilla and earth. On the palate, the wine showed red fruit, red cherry, cucumber, coffee, cocoa, spices, clove, cinnamon, vanilla and some tobacco as well as iodine and earth, with great, fresh, lively acidity, ripe, well-integrated tannin and incredible length. Complex, with good concentration and balance. Very persistent, with great, unexpected freshness that will make it very difficult to keep my hands of my other six bottles. A lovely, traditional-style Rioja with a bright future. Very versatile with food. Moreish! Drink or hold.
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Ruby red, you can smell the blackberries and fruit from a mile away. Tremendously fresh with hints of cherries. Smoke and a hint of strawberries with a long finish. Beautifully balanced wine. Light tannins and a long future regardless. Almost a hint of salinity in the aftertaste.
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Classic sour cherry, fragrant cigar box, earthy spices and leathery bouquet. Nose is somewhat closed initially. Need an hour in the decanter for the nose to open up with better depth, sweeter fruits and balance. Palate is nicely balanced, medium bodied with a smooth finish which could be richer and longer. Great nose not so good finish. Perfect with a traditional paella or a good piece of grilled steak.
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Out with old friends in North Jersey. Brought to a BYOB. The current release - fresh cherries, black cherries, raspberries, oak and vanilla. it will definitely improve with time.
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Clearly needs much much more development. I wasn't expecting this to be opened - sometimes we don't have control over these things - and though it was certainly enjoyable and hinted at classic Riojaness it was still a simple case of infanticide. Not giving this a score for now.
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A private dinner (Restaurant La Rive, Amsterdam, NL): Mature but lively appearance, sombre colour; beefstock and American oak on the nose, sandalwood and freshness, quite tertiary; medium body, firm tannins need a bit more time to resolve, harmonious and rounded flavours, more meat than fruit, hint of vanilla sweetness, lovely freshness; warm finish, very good resonance and length. Quite approachable already, mature flavours, but two decades ahead without doubt.
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Light garnet. Medium body, soft, well evolved tannins. Oaky notes, occasionally heavy in Riojan wines, not obvious here despite long aging in oak barrels. Generous, ripe, red fruits with nice acidity. Very well balanced, round, fruity with lots of freshness. An excellent example of a well made Rioja wine in a great vintage.
Bright red fruit, some minerality, elegant and balanced. Not as oaky and tannic as I was expecting and surprisingly approachable. Will certainly continue to improve
With Elmar at Méson Can Pedro, Palma de Mallorca. Only €53 on the restaurant‘s wine list. Popped and poured. Medium ruby in colour. Classic, medium-bodied, good red fruit plus well-handled American oak profile, with lively acidity and superb length. Restrained, balanced and elegant. Very fresh; no signs of the 2009 heat. Lovely! A beautiful Rioja with a bright future!
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Medium ruby red. Layered nose with dried cherries, twigs, spices and forest floor. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and lots of acidity with a medium plus body. Well balanced even for being so young, notes of cherries, branches, strawberries and minerality. Long and lingering finish with solid acidity. Drink till 2033.
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Really enjoyable Rioja in a balanced style, drinking great right now though could easily be better with 5 more years. Needs an hour decant. Dark cherries, raspberries, coconut and Earth on the nose. High acid but tannins softened now and fruit balanced the acid well. The coconut became more prominent as the night went on, suntan oil at the beach by the end of the night.
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Gorgeous potential but way too young. Especially as I have known 904s at 20 years of age which I had fallen totally in love with. I would wait at least 5 or 6 years before the next one though I know it would be very difficult, unless I buy find older vintages of this gem! Cheers,
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Short note. Quite dense compared to the Ardanza 2009, on the nose intense with herbs, red berries and ethereal, on the palate elegant, good acidity, medium+ bodied, long finish, very good as always. Early drinking window, will last for many years and will still improve, 92-94.
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Buttery, ripe fruit, style-wise it feels less of an archetypal classic Rioja, rather more somewhere between classic and modern. Noone spotted it as a Rioja, although I had an inkling it was my wine. Delicious nonetheless.
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Tasted at Skurnik Grand Portfolio Tasting in NYC. 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Translucent, light to medium garnet with slight bricking. Not over oaked as often happens, in my opinion, with Rioja. Leather and cherry mostly on the nose and palate. Not sure how much time this had to get some air but was quite delicious if just a bit closed, probably in need of decanting. Quite elegantly textured and certainly has the potential to age nicely for an additional half decade or more and improve.
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La Rioja Alta (La Rioja Alta, Haro, Rioja): Denser but brighter nose, the fruit a fraction lighter in the raspberry spectrum. Lovely freshness here. Very much in the red fruit spectrum. Vibrant. Joyous even. ****
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Textbook traditional Rioja. Cedar and floral on the nose. Cassis, plum, cedar with good grip and nice finish. Yes, it is young, but showing some brilliance. Really good wine.
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Medium garnet. Loads of American oak on the nose, too much. Notes of coconut, chocolate, vanilla with hints of fruit creeping (hints of cherry, raspberry). Full-bodied, high acidity, high alcohol, medium tannins. The oak is just too strong on this, masking everything. Disappointing, as previous vintages are gold.
At the winery in Haro. Dill-y American oak is pretty strong here and I'm not a fan of that, but this taste gave the older bottles I have at home much needed context.
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A hulking wall of oak that integrates into the wine over the course of an hour or so. A good deal of tobacco and saddle leather. Sour. Reminiscent of manzanilla sherry. Eccentric.
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What a consistent wine across vintages. Purple fruited, plummy, some medium cherry, flowers. Very floral. Way too young, but I knew it would be. Just had to try it. Reminded me of the 2009 muga prado enea I recently had and they are next door i think. At this stage, the vanilla and coconut are still strong. Wait 5 years on next bottle.
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Not my style as I got a lot of oak and vanilla, but maybe just needs time to integrate. There is pleasing, elegant fruit there hoping to shine through... Decanted for one hour before drinking.
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Popped and decanted for about 20 minutes. Bought at Gordon’s earlier today.
Deep beautiful crimson. Looks like the kind of wine that will give me blue teeth and chow tongue.
Nose of licorice, bay leaf, plum. Just beautiful.
Palate - wine is sound. Medium-high acid, medium-high alcohol, tannins past peak grippiness but still a little drying. Palate is very consistent with the nose, plus eucalyptus. Tiny touch of blue cheese at the finish (which is long and clean).
I like this wine but I’m not obsessed by it. Based on tasting notes, it seems fairly typical of the style. Might just not be my thing at the moment.
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Light-mid brick; old world, red fruit, brambles and spice nose; mid-body; good tannins and acids; long varietal red fruit finish; will gain more elegance with time. w/tri tip
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Purchased at cellar door in August and consumed over three nights. This is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano and it spends 4-years in 4yr old American oak.
On first opening there is the unmistakable gluey scent of oak. With more air and over time, there are more ethereal notes of red fruits and spice, but the overwhelming sense of vanillin oak never goes away. I have another bottle which I suspect I will put away for at least 10-yrs before considering opening it.
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Decanted 1hr. Pale bright ruby with garnet rim. Abundant sweet oak and spices, cedar, dried red fruits, smoke, some leather. Very good acidity, additional savoury and hint of nutty flavour on palate. Rather light weight on palate but with good length. Good now but will benefit with a few years for sure.
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Tasted next to 2009 Viña Arana and Viña Ardanza. Lovely nose - Red/dark fruit, smoke, leather, spices, notes of tobacco, earth. More depth and intensity on the palate. Wonderful fruit, dusty tannins, great acidity and balance. Very long - wonderful. Keep. 92-94(+)
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Trip to Rioja - Angie's 50th; 10/24/2018-10/26/2018 (Haro and surrounding area): Tasted at Bodega. Nose a touch closed but showing pure red fruit, cinnamon, vanilla. Medium/full bodied, quite rich/fleshy for a 904, lovely pure red fruit, latent complexity with spice, vanilla, florals, immaculate tannins, fresh acidity, long finish. A quite brilliant 904 in the making, can actually be enjoyed now but should also make old bones.
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Russk. Bill brought to Expats at his house. The WOTN for most. My 2nd WOTN. Still too young, I think. Too primary. More like current Alberdi, then a mature 904.
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tasted blind. opaque ruby with hint of browning. Nose lightly musty at first, prominent dill/vanilla. Palate vanilla foremost initially, then rounded red fruits, tannic on finish. We initially pegged this as the older of 2 LRA 904s, surprising to see the reveal; still oaky at first though that does subside with time open. 91 pts
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Servert blindt. Rød med orange kjerne. Litt røde blomster, tørket frukt, karamell, gummi, lakris, rødbær, strukturert. Superlang, pen balanse i ettersmak. Mye grønnoter. Mye som tyder på god produsent, ukurrant pårgang. Gjetter St estephe, eller St Julien 2001, eller bedre produsent fra 90-tall. 92-93 La Rioja Alta 904. 2009 !!!! Dette forklarer en del. Det grønne er trolig fattanniner. Flott vin
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New vintage out now. Maroon. Super-complex nose with vanilla, dark fruit, dill, eucalyptus, dairy products and hints of sawdust and perfume. Refreshing palate. Minty, after a while some dense fruit and red apples. Long. A somewhat flat structure, with the elements nicely integrated. Drinks well now, but will most likely improve over the next 5 to 10 years. Lovely on its own, better with bbq meat.
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish oak/frt (with hints of choc?) braced by a puckerish astringency which slowly, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, spicy, tangy/swt (50:50) finish with undertones of dusty tannins still present. For now & perhaps making its 20th? IMPRESSIVE! My EXC- with more a DISTINCT poss! :) 95+ pts WA & 17/20 Jancis Robinson. [This vendor's $53.95 is as good as any of the currently listed U.S. vendors on wine-searcher.]
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4/24/2024 - DevenStephens Likes this wine: 96 Points
One of my favorite producers! Ruby red with some bricking. Nose of red cherry, vanilla, cloves and tobacco. On the palate red cherry, vanilla, cloves, chocolate, leather and cigar box. Velvety tannins with surprising acidity and a medium to long finish. Very elegant and obviously could take a long while more of cellar age. Excellent!
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4/17/2024 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Erik's. Coconut and dill from the American oak came out first followed by plum, dried spices and earth. Medium bodied, good balance and a long finsih, but good as it is it will get better. Leave these alone if you can!
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2/17/2024 - mvande21 wrote: 92 Points
Three hour decant. Light garnet. Plum, red berries, dried spices and dusty earth notes. Medium bodied, smooth with great balance. Chalky tannins. Long finish. Paired well with cube steak and vegetables.
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2/7/2024 - stayhappy21 wrote: 91 Points
Brought this wine to Tunglok Signatures (Clarke Quay) for dinner with my family to welcome my sister-in-law and to celebrate the Chinese New Year. We had Deep Fried Fish Skin with Salted Egg, Crispy Roast Pork Belly, Double Boiled Fish Maw Soup with Sakura Chicken, Roast Irish Duck, Garoupa prepared in two ways (Steamed and Deep Fried), Boiled Chinese Cabbage with Minced Pork and Dried Shrimp, Sautéed Beef Cubes with Wild Fungus, Roast Suckling Pig with Glutinous Rice and Fried Chinese New Year Sweet Rice Cake.
Decanted for 1.5 hours before serving. An outstanding wine. Impeccable balance with mastery interplay between fruit, acidity, and oak. Seamless integration with a long, complex finish. Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano.
On the nose the bouquet of red berries, dried cherries, and subtle hints of vanilla danced around effortlessly, unfolding a symphony of flavors.
On the palate, the red fruits, dried figs, dry leather all contributed to the pairing of the wine and the food. Velvety tannins ensuring the freshness of the wine, bringing out notes of tobacco, cedar and liquorice.
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1/31/2024 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Outstanding Rioja. Full bodied, long lingering taste. Only 3 bottles left - have to wait several years to see how it develops, since so many people think this will drink well into the early 30's. I think it has been excellent for several years now, but I will move my soonest date to 2026, to make sure I save.
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1/5/2024 - happyhyrax wrote: flawed
Cork broke in two and was highly oxidized
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12/24/2023 - Renevin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tres beau vin. Nez sur le fruit, un peu étable. En bouche, tout en rondeur, belle concentration, ample. De bonne longueur.
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12/21/2023 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 92 Points
I didn't decant - I should have - likely an hour. The taste and balance improved after about an hour in the glass
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11/3/2023 - DesMarteau Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 3 hours…tart cherry , mushroom, tar, always changing . Light profile….a bit out of balance …even after a lot of air .
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10/27/2023 - VoteferPedro Likes this wine: 92 Points
needs a long decant but lovely tempranillo
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10/15/2023 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
Fast forward 5 years (from my Sept 2019 TN) things have changed quite a lot. The AmOak show more as Cedar. Tannins are more resolved. Nice refreshing acidity. Some non viscous sweetness. Much more feminine now. It was hands down the wine of the night for the Figs and Lisa and I. 92- pts. Can be easily enjoyed now, but I suspect it will be better still in another 5 yrs.
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9/2/2023 - amateur62 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tempranillo (90%) from old vines supplemented by Graciano, aged 54 months in American oak barrels (made in-house), racked every six months using traditional barrel-to-barrel methods. Acidity 5.9 g/l, alcohol 13.5% vol.
Decanted 5 hours before dinner what was not bad. Sour cherry, black berries and a suggestion of licorice and tar, on the palate fresh and dry, good density, long finish. Has nicely developed within the last 30 months and it is much more balanced now. All in all a superb classic, elegant Rioja, reaches slowly its peak and will go for some years on this level but it is most probably not the long runner as in the best vintages, so drink within the next 6 to 10 years.
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8/8/2023 - Torchy wrote: 91 Points
In a good place right now. Dark red. Lush nose with dark fruit, oak, hints of mint, licorice, and leather. The palate is full bodied. Soursweet fruit, dill, mint, oak, chocolate, tobacco, and leather. High acidity, medium length. Flat.
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8/7/2023 - Yagil wrote: 92 Points
Rioja & Ribera-del-Duero tasting: excellent.
still very young.
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8/5/2023 - Thomas419 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Smells heady and perfumed! Very finely integrated tannins, medium bodied with a lengthy, sophisticated finish. Tastes thin? A very ‘premium’ feel. Perfume and oak. Lovely.
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7/5/2023 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 91 Points
First bottle of this from a recent auction lot. Pnp'd for our new friends to a weird, sour/rotting vegetable note coming from the bottle. Not corked. After a few minutes this was replaced by a decidedly stemmy/weedy green sagey nose. Color in the glass was still quite strong, maybe a medium garnet color and zero bricking. The palate was more forgiving than the nose and could be drunk after an hour, but you really didn't want to! This bottle took all of 5-6 hours in the decanter to finally blow off its funkiness and shine on both nose and palate. It was very resolved, balanced and enjoyable at that point. Red fruited, earthy, and aged just right. Bordered on a 92 for me as it drank and felt like a nicely aged Bdx in a way. Definitely an 'old school' type of Rioja. Not sure though where the upper 90's score from WA comes in? Maybe this was an off bottle and my other 2 will perform even better?
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6/24/2023 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 91 Points
See my previous notes from July 2022. Same place...the nose is intensely beautiful! Drink or wait. 91+
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5/27/2023 - vlzat Likes this wine: 95 Points
90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from Brinas, Labastida and Villalba vineyards
Medium to full body, mature ruby colour. Impressive and complex aroma of red and black fruits, vanilla and sweet tobacco complemented by liquorice, balsamic and musky background. Rich palate of sweet cherry, blueberry and plum following by lingering juicy finish. Outstanding wine, concentrated but velvety, elegant and still very fresh, rounding, silky tannins and wild berries acidity. Food friendly, well pairing to chicken puchero. Open one hour ahead. Serve 16ºC - 20ºC. Drink now and the next eight/ten years, perhaps longer.
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4/30/2023 - FEDEVIDAL Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bonito color picota de capa media y muy brillante. De cantado unas dos horas, Aroma de intensidad media, fruta roja y negra apimentada, rosas,. Tierra mojada, con un fondo de leña quemada o carbón. La boca es aterciopelada, suave, muy equilibrada, todo bien integrado con excelente acidez y expresividad frutal remarcable. Final largo
Un excelente Rioja clásico al que le falta un poco de tiempo para ser grande.
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4/24/2023 - mflesh wrote:
Still on the younger side for SURE, but compared to 2020's note on this wine I think this is definitely a good bit more refined. The nose is red rose petal, red clay, red cherry. Pours a rusty red color to the glass. The palate is dirty red cherry, volcanic ash, figs and salted red prunes, finishing with tobacco and earthy character and modest tannin on the finish. Medium + bodied wine and went well with grilled chicken stuffed poblano peppers infused with a moderately hot tomatillo sauce. Although this wine is super good, I'd resist the urge to open if you like these a little more on the 'dirty' side. I tend to like these a little more earthy which this one will probably not achieve for another 5-7 years. My advice to you is: drink the 2004s. If you have them (I supposedly do, but darned if I can FIND it...).
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4/4/2023 - Achermann wrote: 92 Points
I agree with VincentMorey's note.
Compared to earlier tastings, at is a bit more developed and I think, it's an around it's peak right now as it stills has its fruit but combined with some maturity.
Drink (or hold).
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3/18/2023 - gggboss wrote: 94 Points
Very nice Rioja!
Betta 23 casa.
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3/3/2023 - VincentMorey Likes this wine:
Wish I had more bottles, and back vintages don’t seem to come up anymore let alone recent releases of 904 from last few years. Definitely more approacheable after a splash decant and sitting for 45 minutes although I would have done 2 hours in a wider decanter. Plentiful sweet ripe dark fruit on the nose and much elegance with ample acidity, with some oak notes coming through around half way, that faded away with food.
Corkaged to a Spanish restaurant with a range of tapas, and paired with virtually anything that had a bit of spice, garlic olive oil oyster mushrooms, chicken & seafood paella (dead perfect), trotter and tripe stew, squid with squid ink. Nothing wrong with a lower vintage scored bottling, it has its merit with food pairing. This can still age for longer, but it is so giving now with the balance of fruit which I think is important when you have very savory rich food (and enhanced with Iberico far in many dishes). 2010s probably can wait longer but if opening now I’d decant longer and make sure there is at the vet least lamb for the pairing.
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3/1/2023 - MADemers Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice rioja overall: typical Cab on the nose, smooth on the palate and not too dry of a finish . But nothing extraordinary
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2/17/2023 - curtr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking well on PNP. Developed over an hour. Very good depth. Mid drinking plateau. Drink now to 2033.
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1/25/2023 - RonniePiemonte wrote: 92 Points
Lovely pale red. Opened up nicely with air time. This could benefit from another year or two.
On to the 2010s. They will sit for several more years.
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1/20/2023 - Ernestas Likes this wine: 93 Points
890 was not released so the best grapes were used to produce this beautiful GR made from Tempranillo with 10% Graciano. Wine was aged for 4 years in used US oak. Medium+ ruby colour. Explosively perfumed and complex aroma of strawberries, cherries, coconut, leather, dry earth, roses, smoked meat, incense, cedar, hint of tobacco and nutmeg. Medium body, concentrated, deep and layered complex flavours, vibrant and rich acidity along finely grained powdery tannins concludes long and spiced with touch of new oak.
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12/30/2022 - Berk_The_Caretaker Likes this wine: 96 Points
Look:
Garnet red getting paler and brick brown at rim.
Nose:
Boom! Cherry! An explosion of fruit at the front, a small amount of black fruit hedgerow underneath and then a fair bit of vanilla. This smells like it's going to be a fruit powerhouse. With some time in the glass some barnyard manure smells start to come out as well.
Palette:
Amazingly balanced, not the jammy bomb the nose initially suggests. The cherry, plum and blackberry are harmoniously balanced, with the vanilla becoming much more prominent and more forward. Velvet smooth tannins, adding a hint of ground pepper and coriander. Nice acidity and complexity with good length.
This is a fantastic wine. For the price I doubt there is anything better.
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12/25/2022 - wayfarer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious, rich, long, long life ahead still. Opened for air 1 hour, I'd now say decant.
Great nose and palate.
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12/24/2022 - Gone with the wine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Strong American oak notes of coconut and vanilla which are fairly well integrated with the red fruit. Very classical and smooth to drink. Improved slightly with time in the decanter.
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11/24/2022 - jusuf wrote: 95 Points
Thai Restaurant. 5 out of 3 chilli rating for the food. And the wine comes out phenomenal. Red Currant at its best. Silk. Body. Length. Complexity. All there.
Great experience.
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7/30/2022 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is not my typical style of wine that I enjoy. However, there is something about it that I love. So much so, I’m going to try to buy more. It is one of those wines that I wouldn’t want to drink every week, but once every six months is a good cycle. Pop n poured. Served with Napolitano style pizza.
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7/22/2022 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
$50+ and 10 Year Old Plus Spanish Blind Tasting (Bin 75 Alpharetta, GA): Dull aged maroon crimson, semitransparent, thinner brick rim; lots of singed herb on the nose, musk, age, some sweet and dried cranberry, fruitcake and spice, oak influenced but not dominating, really balanced; probably has more age on it than you think- '09 Prado Enea?; style of this wine seems to be improving as the oak is less at the forefront?, maybe I'm a secret admirer of American oak and am almost ready to share it with the world...?
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7/17/2022 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 91 Points
Balsamic aromas of cedar and sandalwood, and wood spices, roasted coffee, celery salt. Round and fruity, with candied berries and wood spice...vanilla flavours. Medium finish...sour cherries. Ready to drink.
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7/1/2022 - swyang wrote:
Very disappointing. Still too young and not fully integrated wood bothered me. I personally can't stand when a so called luxury wine has a woody, vanilla flavor. Not so attractive for the time being.
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6/19/2022 - gbejjani Likes this wine: 92 Points
Happy Father's Day! Another great opportunity to celebrate :) Perfect mariage between this fine Gran Reserva and home-made paella. A medley of spices, dried fruit, burnt caramel underpinned by a structure of cedar and smoky leather that carries it to the finish. One younger palate detected some thinness that seemed to ameliorate during dinner (phew..)
For more please watch below at YT channel Pandewine
https://youtu.be/cHrQgzJGQko
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4/18/2022 - cypra Likes this wine: 93 Points
Concentrated red, super freshness in the nose. Very open, fruity. Well integrated, balanced and young on the palate, cherry, plum and wild herbs. Good structure. Very nice. Will hold several years,
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4/12/2022 - Rich S Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and slow ox'd for a couple of hours. Dark crimson color. Definitely get a bit of sweet American oak on the nose with some dill and dark plummy fruit. Similar flavors on the palate with black cherry and plum notes. Medium acid and tannin. Smooth mouthfeel. Overall, quite tasty and enjoyable but not overly complex for the pedigree.
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4/4/2022 - Christian von Dresky Likes this wine: 93 Points
Red berries, some raising, sweet extract and in the end some strawberry essence. This ist always a very good wine, even though 2009 is a warmer year and you may sence it.
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4/1/2022 - StewartDowd Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bold and juicy with a reasonably dry finish. Plum and cranberry on the palate. Medium to full body. Medium to long dry finish
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3/11/2022 - tphilca Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious as always. Classic northern Rioja with lots of American oak, dry, savory but still fairly rich fruit. Great acidity and a long finish that leaves you with a slight hint of musty old cellar. (but in a good way!) Year in and year out, one of my favorites. I think I've had better years but this is still top notch stuff. While it definitely improves with hours in the glass, a short decant can often be enough with this wine.
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1/14/2022 - ploher wrote:
Rioja: This is - like the Ardanza 2009 - showing really well already this young (contrary to the 2007 for example). This is quite bright with strawberries, herbs, earth, coconut and dill. The oak is obvious of course, but already integrated quite nicely. Powerful, but harmonious, with fine tannins, impressive structure and length. Great wine, very complete already. 18/20
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1/14/2022 - dalemosier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent balance. BIG red. A little better balance after 10-15 minutes in glass
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12/31/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
As always beautiful fruit and savory. With great structure on the palate.
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11/11/2021 - ChristP Likes this wine: 94 Points
Immediately open for business, this is a top Rioja Gran Reserva. On the nose are red fruits and sweet wafts of roses. Color is deep ruby, and on the palate it's full bodied with red fruits, cherry, firm tannins and enough acidity to bring perfect balance. In the middle is a satisfying bitter cherry and fruit stone, and on the finish is a lingering bitter tannic tang. There is a lot to pack the cheeks to boot. Whilst still youthful, this Gran Reserva is already in a lovely zone, and it should only improve from here over the next 5+ years.
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11/7/2021 - dadsdrinkwinetoo Likes this wine:
This is really expressive on the nose and the palate. Beautiful rustic red fruit, dusty earth, dried herbs, tobacco, dried roses, a subtly smokiness with good acidity. There's an elegance that comes across here.
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10/30/2021 - Fredagsblues wrote: flawed
Dead on arrival. Sharp unpleasent fragent dominates the nose. I can find some leather and wood in there, but its subtle. On the tounge: flat, the fruit is lacking. The acidity is prominent. Something is not right with this bottle when compairing to other notes.
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10/27/2021 - Christian von Dresky Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is great again. So liable and steady in its performance. Ripe but fresh, ready to go but also capable of ageing for 20 or more years. Very good and always worth its pricem
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10/26/2021 - bobbylion Likes this wine: 93 Points
Random coravin Glass between Aussie cab and very good burgundy, and this absolutely shines for me. Such great balance, precision, fantastic nose, fruit and tannins in perfect harmony. Absolute joy…
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9/19/2021 - CptJake Likes this wine: 94 Points
Probably the best Rioja I’ve tasted to date. Rich on the nose with tobacco, leather, plums and vanilla. Smooth to the taste with few tannins left but still noticeable. Will try another bottle next year for comparison.
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9/11/2021 - Tom Prior-Grice Likes this wine:
Medium brick-red colour.
N: intensely fragrant, aromas of baked plums, smoked meats, cherries, loam, smoked meats, American oak, vanilla, dried roses.
P: intense flavours, M- well integrated tannins, m+ acid, m+ body, M alcohol, really bold and rich still retaining verve and freshness. Flavours of baked plums, dark fruits, smoked meat, dried green olives, over ripe strawberries, garrigue and loam.
Drinking wonderfully now and will probably continue to for the next 5 years or so, thoroughly enjoyable as all of the LRA wines are.
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9/5/2021 - snaff wrote: 90 Points
Drinking very well now. Prominent but Integrated oak. Bright red fruit, soft tannins but still structured.
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9/2/2021 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Similar to my two tasting notes from 2020. I enjoy it every time because it's signature is different than what I usually drink.
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8/25/2021 - shza Likes this wine: 92 Points
I generally love this house, and the 2009 904 is good, but it’s not a great vintage. A little shy for my taste, and not because it’s closed and will show more later (though older is usually better for the first 15-40 years of this wine), but more because it’s just a little thin compared to other vintages. (The 2010, for instance, will need considerably more time, but is clearly a much better and more complex bottle. And I rated the 2005 a 97 the last time I tasted it, for reference.)
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8/6/2021 - Stefan75 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A classic, very smooth and well integrated already, opens with some air, at the beginning of its drinking window
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7/25/2021 - Yagil wrote: 92 Points
Ramat-Aviv Boys meeting (at Dudu's): Excellent Rioja
see my previous TN
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7/12/2021 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rioja goodness. Lots of tasty oak, dill, dark fruit, leather, raspberry, pepper, black cherry, and sour plum. Drinking wonderfully.
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7/11/2021 - happy712 Likes this wine: 92 Points
2004 and 2005 were better, but this was still nice. No decant necessary, although for optimal taste, give it 30 minutes in the glass.
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7/7/2021 - maxima wrote: 90 Points
Assez approchable et proche de l`équilibre.
Le boisé est bien dosé, le fruit asses dense,
Il y a de belles épices, les tannins
charnus et la finale bien longue avec une pointe de chauffe.
Excellent!
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6/20/2021 - PhilJ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice oak, leather, spices. Traditional style of Rioja, so not overly powerful / intense.
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5/29/2021 - Gregboch wrote: 93 Points
Wow, vanilla, black cherry glory. Silky. Leather and almost coffee. This hits the spot.
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5/20/2021 - Eveeveeve Likes this wine: 92 Points
整体颜色是中等砖红色;
印象深刻的部分,不是其无花果干类香气,是其明显的咸肉汁、皮革、蘑菇、湿树叶的陈年风味,这些风味在口腔回味时更明显。酒很有嚼劲,多汁。桶和酒的味道已十分融合:丁香、咖啡、可可风味给的恰到好处。单宁被岁月打磨的柔软细腻,酸度中等已久在线,风味浓郁程度中+,余味差不多5秒+。的确性价比不错的酒。
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4/20/2021 - Yagil wrote: 92 Points
see my previous TN
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3/16/2021 - Renevin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nez sur fruit rouge au départ,developpe des notes sucrées par la suite. Belle aciditè qui apporte belle fraîcheur. Ampleur moyenne, belle longueur. Fort agréable maintenant mais pour plusieurs années également.
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3/1/2021 - Es7e2003 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Garnet hues in glass. More traditional style of rioja. Light on its feet, with some tertiary characteristics on the nose hinting at development. Black fruit, blackberry, cigar box, leather and sweet spices.
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2/21/2021 - amateur62 wrote:
Decanted 5 hours before dinner and it still improved in the glass. Nice nose with black berries, forest floor and ethereal notes, on the palate high acidity, full bodied and long, but the balance is not yet there where it has to be, needs some more years in the cellar. If you can't wait to taste this wine, a very long decant is highly recommended, else it is not real fun. 91 points now with the potential for 93 points in 5 to 10 years, very good but not as great as other recent vintages I have tasted, which were outstanding.
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2/10/2021 - bobbylion Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is seriously good stuff. The fruit, the acidity and firm structure. Should go for at least 10-15 years, but absolute pleasure to drink now. I gave 2010 94 points. Not sure there is that much difference to 2009. maybe I am unfair and should try them in a mini vertical...
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2/7/2021 - 99tollap wrote: 93 Points
Very nicely done. Intense nose. Rich vanilla oak, dark fruit, tobacco and a stalky green scent. In the mouth this is very nicely structured and full bodied. Loads of oak of course, along with stewed fruits, prune and black olive flavours. Tannins and acidity are well in check here. This is drinking very well now, but of course has many years ahead of it. Excellent wine.
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1/27/2021 - pkouchu wrote: 93 Points
licorice, spice, cedar, red cherries, dirt, underbrush, balsamic strawberries, peppercorn, red florals, and gravel
always value in these wines. good fruit and acidity, lovely aromatics. Love this wine with some aged steak.
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1/22/2021 - Achermann Likes this wine: 91 Points
👃🏻: Red berries, vanilla, black tea, dark chocolate, camphor.
👅: Nicely integrated tannins and a balanced acidity.
Drinks nicely - a bit more balanced than last time of tasting.
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1/20/2021 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
La Rioja Alta Zoom Tasting with Sunfish Cellars; 1/19/2021-1/20/2021 (Online Zoom): Day 1: Opening early for the Sunfish Cellars La Rioja Alta Zoom on Thursday. This is right there with the Ardanza but I can tell this needs some cellaring time. Tobacco, bay leaves, raspberries, subtle dill, wood, stone and earth. Good acidity and medium to long finish. This should age nicely for 20 years. Love the 904. 92 to 94 points.
Day 2: This has improved and no surprise cellar this wine for five plus years. I always like to try one of these young to ensure I will buy more. Raspberries, saddlewood, bay leaves, earth, tobacco and mild dill. Very dry but love this style. Medium to long finish. 93 points
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1/19/2021 - peeks13 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Had South Loop cellar tasting and it was my #6 overall (out of 50). Had at house for Jean/Marilyn going away - it was excellent. 3 hour decant, still primary, touch of acidity, light stewed fruit. Some tension, tannin, fruit. Went down very smooth and didn't disappoint. This could be 94/95 in future.
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1/16/2021 - Cristom Sassicaia Likes this wine: 93 Points
opened up for 3 hours in bottle; notes of toffee and orange zest with a hint of licorice on the nose, firm tannins on mouthfeel but not overpowering, had with asparagus, red pesto small shells with spicy sausage (started with an aged gouda and soft grueye cheese). Delicious
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1/8/2021 - CHINACAT wrote: 93 Points
Ripe, fresh and elegant, with some earthy and mineral flavors, and good balance and length. Was open and approachable tonight, but has a long life ahead of it. Excellent bottle.
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12/30/2020 - Paul852 Likes this wine:
Briefly, stood upright, open, for a couple of hours (although there was minimal sediment to settle) then decanted for 3 more. This was in a really nice place - a very nice balance: solid acidity, but balanced with nice fruit and well-integrated and smooth tannins. It complemented some soft cheeses very nicely.
Again, my only negative comment is a certain lack of complexity, but it's a very nice wine.
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11/26/2020 - WaWineWill Likes this wine: 94 Points
Thanksgiving 2020, this tied for WON next to a 2012 Cayuse Cailloux. Just a few of us podding together, all were blown away at how this 904 continued to blossom after being open for a few hours. The nose started off with straightforward notes of toasted coconut, pipe tobacco and cranberry flavors, with the pallet showing similarly. Soon after, the wine completely opened up for business with pungent notes of sweaty leather, truffles, forest floor, blood and iron. Definitely a little high toned, with acidity for days, but paired beautifully with the flavors on the table. What was so impressive about this rustic, traditionally styled Rioja is that it stood right up next to the Cayuse on the table, which was modern, riper, full of umami, saline and blue fruit. This 904 however was an elegant wine, perhaps too early to open today, but nevertheless absolutely lovely and undeniably powerful. If drinking now, give it a couple of hours in the decanter to open, then put back in the bottle before drinking.
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11/26/2020 - finlero wrote: 87 Points
Thanksgiving 2020. Decanted two hours before tasting. Quiet red fruit, with a nice, if short, floral finish, and some mild, rustic tannins. I appreciate the restraint and traditional style, but at the end of the day I'm just not getting all that much structure or nuance. That said, the vegetal and herbaceous elements played really well off of the fall harvest flavors.
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11/26/2020 - Cailles wrote: 93 Points
Informal dinner, no detailed notes. Dark fruit, licorice, very herbal, tobacco on the nose and palate. As always these wines are light and fresh but with good intensity and the right amount of charm and creaminess. Not the most complex wine but very harmonious and round. This seems good to go right now but we all know, that these wines can develop for decades. I’m not sure however, if it will get much better from here.
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11/25/2020 - sirpat00 wrote: 93 Points
Tasted blind with no decant. First impression was smoked tobacco, dark berries with additional mineral and herbal elements followed by a bit of sweet spice. Some slightly unripe green notes too, however. Fresh with depth and concentration on the palate. Not yet well integrated but well-structured and already more refined than the 2007, in my view.
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11/8/2020 - Yagil wrote: 92 Points
מפגש תרבות יום א (at Haim Straze): see my recent TN
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11/7/2020 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
What will surely be a legendary wine in the decades to come. Has a bit more modernity in the bottle than Heredia but no matter - all fits perfectly and is in great harmony. Drank superb now but I believe it has decades to go.
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11/3/2020 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Gorgeous soy and walnut plus blackberry fruit. And the palate is tight and direct in a really good way.
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11/3/2020 - Tonyboons33 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Outstanding from a magnum!
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10/29/2020 - Yagil wrote: 92 Points
excellent classic Rioja GR
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9/28/2020 - WineTally Likes this wine:
Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%) from vines over 60 years old in vineyards
in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba. Aged 4 years in 4-year old American oak barrels (built in house).
A(ccuracy)=2: Med deep garnet. Refined, focused varietal with distinctive coconut overtone of American oak.
B(alance)=2: Fine components though still oak dominant.
C(omplexity)=2: Ripe fruit, cinnamon, licorice, tobacco, leather.
D(epth)=2: Tangy mouthfeel; impressive length and finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,2,2] = 8/10
Can benefit from further aging or extended decant.
For story-telling label graphics, see:
[https://www.instagram.com/WineTally2020/]
[https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/]
For a unique multimedia resource, see
[https://winetally.wixsite.com/vingnette2020]
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9/18/2020 - Paul852 Likes this wine: 90 Points
After a 2 hour decant... The nose is rich dark red fruits with a touch of oak/vanilla. On the palate, it's medium-bodied, nicely balanced fruit, integrated oak, fine tannins and medium- acidity.
Overall it's very pleasant and going well with herbed lamb meatballs and pasta. My only criticism is that it is rather one-dimensional with little if any complexity revealing itself.
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7/24/2020 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very consistent with my tasting note from May 2020. This is drinking really great right now. Picking up a little more coconut this time, but that’s no surprise due to the barrel type used in aging. Rioja is not my typical style of wine, but this wine makes me want to explore Rioja some more.
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6/16/2020 - eadsaaron Likes this wine: 95 Points
Not as exquisite as the 2010, but still excellent. Slightly fuller body, more dill/chard/dried leaves/cedar notes. Also tobacco, brown sugar, coconut and cocoa.
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6/5/2020 - Gjagai Likes this wine: 92 Points
Color hue clarity: red brick, dusty
Aroma bouquet: perfumed, cherry, floral
Taste texture finish balance: medium body, velvety, slight tannins, some earth
Overall: 4.5/5. A light wine with depth and character.
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5/30/2020 - CharlatanDario wrote: 93 Points
Drinking nicely
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5/26/2020 - finlero wrote: 89 Points
Medium, clean ruby. Nice typicity. Mid-weight, red and raw black fruit, spicebox, a characteristic green vegetal element. Medium finish, tannins in a good place. Elegant and structured, without making a big deal about it. Tastes very fresh, no rush on this whatsoever. Turned just a shade bitter and brackish after open for 3+ hours.
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5/22/2020 - LaiJien wrote: flawed
Spanish Wines (Seattle, Washington): Very corked. Sad trombones.
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5/21/2020 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good stuff. Yes... there is red fruit and American oak woody flavor as others have noted but I actually get more blueberry pie with a vanilla crust and a slightly overripe raisin finish. Anyone with me?
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5/15/2020 - mpsocal Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dry with tons of spice and wood notes, but still seems to have good balance. Masterful wine making.
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5/5/2020 - Dale M wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 3 hrs. A lot of the hub bub on this wine from WB is that since 2001 or, so this wine is over the top in its oak treatment and should be shunned at all costs. I was pleasantly surprised with this bottle. Sure, there is some gloss, but nothing more than most wines that have a % of new wood. Furthermore, I found a lot of tension and grip, red fruits and a good tannic edge. Smoky, and consistent to the finish. I would to try to the 2010.
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4/28/2020 - Renevin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nez eucalyptus, châssis, expressif. En bouche, tout est en rondeur,belle équilibre les tanins sont bien fondus. Belle finale sur des notes animales. Fort plaisant maintenant.
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4/24/2020 - sjw_11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
What a different tasting note to last time (didn't wait the decade I planned as COVID has me short of options to drink).
Exceptionally fragrant. The house style (and the oak-varnish character) is clearly visible but this has for me a purer nose and more elegance than say the 2007 at a similar age. Creamy red fruits. Crunchy acidity. Lingering, juicy finish. Drinking quite well now although I am sure another 5-10 years wouldn’t hurt.
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4/12/2020 - SGoenophile Likes this wine: 93 Points
Mid ruby. Soft tannins. Lively, bright and fresh. Ripe red fruits, notes of cherries, strawberries marmalade. Slight oak but well integrated. Some vanilla notes.
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3/29/2020 - Moosenose68 wrote: flawed
Corked
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3/14/2020 - rraaffaa Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice medium body, lots of cherry, dark fruit, some caramel and dark chocolate, medium+ acidity, still pretty tannic. I think this is still not in the prime drinking window but is pretty nice (although I'm not convinced it's worth the extra $$ over the Ardanza).
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3/10/2020 - Yappetizer wrote: 90 Points
Deep Ruby red in color. Earthy wine, on the nose there's cinnamon spices, nutmeg, mushroom, well balanced, elegant, good amount of acidity to balance the earth. Great wine.
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3/4/2020 - adamanko wrote: 89 Points
Just taking a sip now to see it's status while the rest of the bottle gets a long decant. Seems legit. Tobacco, chocolate and plums.
Some vanilla. This is better with food. 88-89.
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2/22/2020 - CHINACAT wrote: 90 Points
Ripe cherries, some vanilla and minerality, elegant and firm. Not as open and approachable as the bottle I had last May, but still quite nice.
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2/13/2020 - burlingtonm Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really drinking well; restrained style with high acidity, freshness and some richness.
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2/9/2020 - Philckw wrote: 90 Points
Medium bodied,dark ruby red. Nose - stewed red fruits, cherries. Palate - smooth and needed to breathe before opening up. Cherries, plums, earthy, little tannins. Finish - long, some chocolate, earthy. Overall, very easy drinking!
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1/30/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Classics of Spain Tasting (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Walk around tasting, small glass. More modern than the López de Heredia just tasted, but what isn't? Rich but simultaneously very well balanced. In its peak drinking window with medium weight, but nuanced and fun flavors and textures from middle forward.
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1/13/2020 - VINNICK Likes this wine: 90 Points
Approachable now, medium bodied, extracted...overall decent experience. Nothing too special. Good table wine.
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1/2/2020 - mflesh wrote:
Kind of in a weird spot. But I am almost 100% sure that this weird spot is because it's just way too young. The nose on this is dirty red cherry, a little herb, tobacco. The palate started off very youthful, and then went to a more herbal side, then developed a tart on the finish that was actually a bit off-putting. I am not sure that I recall this from previous experiences. I'll probably let the other bottle rest for a while. Or might just push it to the back of the tube and forget about it altogether until someone reminds me that I've got it. Either way, this wine is not ready to go yet. I'd drink the 01's instead!
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12/19/2019 - "Rhône Rider" wrote: 92 Points
Mye vanilje og litt urter ved åpning, men det integreres flott etter lufting. Blåbær, blomster, moreller, anis, tobakk, stein. Floral og forførende til Rioja å være. Imponerende vin. Lang. 92
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12/17/2019 - fc1910 wrote:
My first bottle from this relatively young vintage, I do not purchase this bottling any longer with a case or more and some Magnums, the reason is that the change of style since the 2001 release is evident, this bottle does not need a lot of decant, right from the start it is showing its silky, juicy fruit, clearly american oak though, which gives structure and herbal and tertiary aromas, but for me this bottling has changed to a modern crowd pleaser, not filled to age for decades further more, everything is well made, but the former acidic punch in the background which reminds you to cellar the rest of the bottles for some more time (decade++) is missing, so this is a very good modern, persistent, spicy Rioja Gran Reserva, but no one really knows how this one will age, to enjoy from now on, **(*-****?), 90(+?) potential
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12/14/2019 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 95 Points
Praelum - La Casa de Vino (Praelum Wine Bistro): Pale ruby with fading garnet edges, and a starlight brightness. Very developed nose, with coffee, cocoa, truffles, forest floor, moss aromas. Rounded tannins, some alcohol punch, chocolate, charcuterie, mesquite smokes, and some roses and red cherries show up at the back. Very complex, and a great length. Impressive!
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12/8/2019 - Grape_ape Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted about 45 mins. drinking well, sour cherry, dried leaves, earthy, but still youthful and a touch primary. I think this only has upside from here as the oak integrates a little better.
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11/30/2019 - brewnello wrote: 93 Points
Much better than 6 mos ago. Dried cherries with touch of layers - iodine, bark, balanced and integrated with long finish. Cucumber?
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11/23/2019 - ColomboJ01 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Plum and baking spices. Finish of oak, tobacco, and a hint of vanilla.
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11/20/2019 - GBFan Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good, but does not have the depth or complexity of great vintages. Time will help.
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11/2/2019 - dferreiro16 wrote: 88 Points
Ok
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10/29/2019 - Vinophiliac559 wrote:
Pnp, drank over 3-4 hrs, HAZEO really nails it with earthy cherries and dried tea leaves, I get much less vanilla than past vintages I've had, also missing some of that forward ripe raspberry on the nose (this is first 15 min open and just shipped yesterday), persistent raspberry and spice on the palate, lengthy finish, a little tight at the moment, will check back after some air but I think this is in need of time in the bottle. After 4 hrs nose hasnt budged, still tight, palate fleshed out a bit, nice acid and solid structure, still young but very enjoyable.
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10/17/2019 - peeks13 Likes this wine:
Cellar Night at Binnys South Loop (Chicago, IL): Just a touch of stewed tomatoes - in a great Brunello type of way. The $60 price makes it even more of a reason to seek it out.
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10/13/2019 - Hazeo wrote: 92 Points
Still one of my favourite value for money Rioja … that is, if you like them a mix of traditional and modern. Pop and poured and really hits the spot after a couple hours in the glass with it’s earthy cherries and dried tea leaves goodness,
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9/7/2019 - PSPatrick wrote: 93 Points
I had to open another bottle. Medium ruby in colour. Complex nose of red fruit, red cherry, cucumber, iodine, coffee, cocoa, spices, vanilla and earth. On the palate, the wine showed red fruit, red cherry, cucumber, coffee, cocoa, spices, clove, cinnamon, vanilla and some tobacco as well as iodine and earth, with great, fresh, lively acidity, ripe, well-integrated tannin and incredible length. Complex, with good concentration and balance. Very persistent, with great, unexpected freshness that will make it very difficult to keep my hands of my other six bottles. A lovely, traditional-style Rioja with a bright future. Very versatile with food. Moreish! Drink or hold.
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7/29/2019 - balthesar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ruby red, you can smell the blackberries and fruit from a mile away. Tremendously fresh with hints of cherries. Smoke and a hint of strawberries with a long finish. Beautifully balanced wine. Light tannins and a long future regardless. Almost a hint of salinity in the aftertaste.
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7/10/2019 - Psdycp wrote: 91 Points
Classic sour cherry, fragrant cigar box, earthy spices and leathery bouquet. Nose is somewhat closed initially. Need an hour in the decanter for the nose to open up with better depth, sweeter fruits and balance. Palate is nicely balanced, medium bodied with a smooth finish which could be richer and longer. Great nose not so good finish. Perfect with a traditional paella or a good piece of grilled steak.
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7/7/2019 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot wrote: 90 Points
Out with old friends in North Jersey. Brought to a BYOB. The current release - fresh cherries, black cherries, raspberries, oak and vanilla. it will definitely improve with time.
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7/5/2019 - dlcass Likes this wine: 94 Points
Spiced plums, leather. Very expressive on the palate with good elevation, mouth feel and finish.
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6/30/2019 - mats13 Likes this wine:
Clearly needs much much more development. I wasn't expecting this to be opened - sometimes we don't have control over these things - and though it was certainly enjoyable and hinted at classic Riojaness it was still a simple case of infanticide. Not giving this a score for now.
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6/18/2019 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
A private dinner (Restaurant La Rive, Amsterdam, NL): Mature but lively appearance, sombre colour; beefstock and American oak on the nose, sandalwood and freshness, quite tertiary; medium body, firm tannins need a bit more time to resolve, harmonious and rounded flavours, more meat than fruit, hint of vanilla sweetness, lovely freshness; warm finish, very good resonance and length. Quite approachable already, mature flavours, but two decades ahead without doubt.
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6/15/2019 - SGoenophile Likes this wine: 93 Points
Light garnet. Medium body, soft, well evolved tannins. Oaky notes, occasionally heavy in Riojan wines, not obvious here despite long aging in oak barrels. Generous, ripe, red fruits with nice acidity. Very well balanced, round, fruity with lots of freshness. An excellent example of a well made Rioja wine in a great vintage.
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5/29/2019 - CHINACAT wrote: 92 Points
Bright red fruit, some minerality, elegant and balanced. Not as oaky and tannic as I was expecting and surprisingly approachable. Will certainly continue to improve
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5/29/2019 - PSPatrick wrote: 93 Points
With Elmar at Méson Can Pedro, Palma de Mallorca. Only €53 on the restaurant‘s wine list. Popped and poured. Medium ruby in colour. Classic, medium-bodied, good red fruit plus well-handled American oak profile, with lively acidity and superb length. Restrained, balanced and elegant. Very fresh; no signs of the 2009 heat. Lovely! A beautiful Rioja with a bright future!
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5/20/2019 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 93 Points
Medium ruby red. Layered nose with dried cherries, twigs, spices and forest floor. Medium tannins (6.5/10) and lots of acidity with a medium plus body. Well balanced even for being so young, notes of cherries, branches, strawberries and minerality. Long and lingering finish with solid acidity. Drink till 2033.
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5/1/2019 - ArveL wrote: 93 Points
Mye kropp, intens, vanilje, tre, moden fyldig frukt, fin friskhet
- bør nytes med mat, lam eller vilt
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4/27/2019 - ChristyLeighNY wrote:
Really enjoyable Rioja in a balanced style, drinking great right now though could easily be better with 5 more years. Needs an hour decant. Dark cherries, raspberries, coconut and Earth on the nose. High acid but tannins softened now and fruit balanced the acid well. The coconut became more prominent as the night went on, suntan oil at the beach by the end of the night.
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4/12/2019 - swyang wrote:
Gorgeous potential but way too young. Especially as I have known 904s at 20 years of age which I had fallen totally in love with. I would wait at least 5 or 6 years before the next one though I know it would be very difficult, unless I buy find older vintages of this gem! Cheers,
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4/5/2019 - amateur62 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Short note. Quite dense compared to the Ardanza 2009, on the nose intense with herbs, red berries and ethereal, on the palate elegant, good acidity, medium+ bodied, long finish, very good as always. Early drinking window, will last for many years and will still improve, 92-94.
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3/30/2019 - Gece Likes this wine:
Buttery, ripe fruit, style-wise it feels less of an archetypal classic Rioja, rather more somewhere between classic and modern.
Noone spotted it as a Rioja, although I had an inkling it was my wine. Delicious nonetheless.
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3/19/2019 - Torchy wrote:
Cork :-(
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3/19/2019 - Torchy wrote: flawed
Cork :-(
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3/15/2019 - Torchy wrote: flawed
Uncles Fine Wine Spring BYO (Home): Corky
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3/4/2019 - oldwines Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted at Skurnik Grand Portfolio Tasting in NYC. 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Translucent, light to medium garnet with slight bricking. Not over oaked as often happens, in my opinion, with Rioja. Leather and cherry mostly on the nose and palate. Not sure how much time this had to get some air but was quite delicious if just a bit closed, probably in need of decanting. Quite elegantly textured and certainly has the potential to age nicely for an additional half decade or more and improve.
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3/4/2019 - Bellbx Likes this wine: 92 Points
Clove. Nutmeg. Crushed velvet. Cigar. Red berries. Raspberries. Oaky taste. High tannin. Paired with rabbit
Very drinkable
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3/1/2019 - SimonG wrote: 93 Points
La Rioja Alta (La Rioja Alta, Haro, Rioja): Denser but brighter nose, the fruit a fraction lighter in the raspberry spectrum. Lovely freshness here. Very much in the red fruit spectrum. Vibrant. Joyous even. ****
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2/4/2019 - Xu Lanhong wrote: 92 Points
Still a bit young. Cassis and a medium finish. Will do better in a few years I guess
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1/27/2019 - MichaelMA Likes this wine: 94 Points
Textbook traditional Rioja. Cedar and floral on the nose. Cassis, plum, cedar with good grip and nice finish. Yes, it is young, but showing some brilliance. Really good wine.
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1/13/2019 - europat55 wrote: 88 Points
Nose: B+/B++ Palate: B/B+
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1/8/2019 - grapenomad wrote: 83 Points
Medium garnet. Loads of American oak on the nose, too much. Notes of coconut, chocolate, vanilla with hints of fruit creeping (hints of cherry, raspberry). Full-bodied, high acidity, high alcohol, medium tannins. The oak is just too strong on this, masking everything. Disappointing, as previous vintages are gold.
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1/4/2019 - Neecies Likes this wine:
At the winery in Haro. Dill-y American oak is pretty strong here and I'm not a fan of that, but this taste gave the older bottles I have at home much needed context.
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12/24/2018 - colorflavorlocking Likes this wine: 90 Points
A hulking wall of oak that integrates into the wine over the course of an hour or so. A good deal of tobacco and saddle leather. Sour. Reminiscent of manzanilla sherry. Eccentric.
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12/23/2018 - cab blends wrote: 89 Points
Little to no nose and classic tempranillo. Shortish finish
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12/23/2018 - Saintock Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium garnet color. Oaky nose. Red fruits of cherry/strawberries. Sweet lingering finish
Fullbody
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12/22/2018 - m.lupus wrote:
Way too young, not rated.
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12/17/2018 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 90 Points
What a consistent wine across vintages. Purple fruited, plummy, some medium cherry, flowers. Very floral. Way too young, but I knew it would be. Just had to try it. Reminded me of the 2009 muga prado enea I recently had and they are next door i think. At this stage, the vanilla and coconut are still strong. Wait 5 years on next bottle.
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12/2/2018 - LW31 wrote:
Not my style as I got a lot of oak and vanilla, but maybe just needs time to integrate. There is pleasing, elegant fruit there hoping to shine through... Decanted for one hour before drinking.
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12/1/2018 - EMichels wrote: 90 Points
Nice; Rich but with some good structure; Good definition; Still tight
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12/1/2018 - tak4 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Popped and decanted for about 20 minutes. Bought at Gordon’s earlier today.
Deep beautiful crimson. Looks like the kind of wine that will give me blue teeth and chow tongue.
Nose of licorice, bay leaf, plum. Just beautiful.
Palate - wine is sound. Medium-high acid, medium-high alcohol, tannins past peak grippiness but still a little drying. Palate is very consistent with the nose, plus eucalyptus. Tiny touch of blue cheese at the finish (which is long and clean).
I like this wine but I’m not obsessed by it. Based on tasting notes, it seems fairly typical of the style. Might just not be my thing at the moment.
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11/21/2018 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light-mid brick; old world, red fruit, brambles and spice nose; mid-body; good tannins and acids; long varietal red fruit finish; will gain more elegance with time. w/tri tip
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11/14/2018 - sjw_11 wrote: 88 Points
Purchased at cellar door in August and consumed over three nights. This is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano and it spends 4-years in 4yr old American oak.
On first opening there is the unmistakable gluey scent of oak. With more air and over time, there are more ethereal notes of red fruits and spice, but the overwhelming sense of vanillin oak never goes away. I have another bottle which I suspect I will put away for at least 10-yrs before considering opening it.
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11/6/2018 - wineappellation Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 1hr. Pale bright ruby with garnet rim. Abundant sweet oak and spices, cedar, dried red fruits, smoke, some leather. Very good acidity, additional savoury and hint of nutty flavour on palate. Rather light weight on palate but with good length. Good now but will benefit with a few years for sure.
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11/4/2018 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
Tasted next to 2009 Viña Arana and Viña Ardanza. Lovely nose - Red/dark fruit, smoke, leather, spices, notes of tobacco, earth. More depth and intensity on the palate. Wonderful fruit, dusty tannins, great acidity and balance. Very long - wonderful. Keep. 92-94(+)
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11/3/2018 - jvphoto Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful perfume. Big and bold palate.
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10/25/2018 - Paul D wrote: 95 Points
Trip to Rioja - Angie's 50th; 10/24/2018-10/26/2018 (Haro and surrounding area): Tasted at Bodega. Nose a touch closed but showing pure red fruit, cinnamon, vanilla. Medium/full bodied, quite rich/fleshy for a 904, lovely pure red fruit, latent complexity with spice, vanilla, florals, immaculate tannins, fresh acidity, long finish. A quite brilliant 904 in the making, can actually be enjoyed now but should also make old bones.
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9/23/2018 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. Bill brought to Expats at his house. The WOTN for most. My 2nd WOTN. Still too young, I think. Too primary. More like current Alberdi, then a mature 904.
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8/28/2018 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
This shows rich, sweet and lavish oak — but not nearly so much/as excessive as the 2007. Pretty nicely balanced. Very enjoyable over three nights.
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7/28/2018 - fred o. Likes this wine:
tasted blind.
opaque ruby with hint of browning.
Nose lightly musty at first, prominent dill/vanilla.
Palate vanilla foremost initially, then rounded red fruits, tannic on finish. We initially pegged this as the older of 2 LRA 904s, surprising to see the reveal; still oaky at first though that does subside with time open. 91 pts
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7/22/2018 - "Rhône Rider" Likes this wine: 92 Points
Servert blindt. Rød med orange kjerne. Litt røde blomster, tørket frukt, karamell, gummi, lakris, rødbær, strukturert. Superlang, pen balanse i ettersmak. Mye grønnoter. Mye som tyder på god produsent, ukurrant pårgang. Gjetter St estephe, eller St Julien 2001, eller bedre produsent fra 90-tall. 92-93
La Rioja Alta 904. 2009 !!!! Dette forklarer en del. Det grønne er trolig fattanniner. Flott vin
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7/9/2018 - Brnshj22 Likes this wine:
I like this now but wait 5 years and you'll be blown away.
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5/6/2018 - Torchy wrote: 90 Points
New vintage out now. Maroon. Super-complex nose with vanilla, dark fruit, dill, eucalyptus, dairy products and hints of sawdust and perfume. Refreshing palate. Minty, after a while some dense fruit and red apples. Long. A somewhat flat structure, with the elements nicely integrated. Drinks well now, but will most likely improve over the next 5 to 10 years. Lovely on its own, better with bbq meat.
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4/21/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whts, 8 Reds, & 4 Shared Bottles] from 4/30/18: N: RIPE vanilla, poss spice, with undertones of berries?
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish oak/frt (with hints of choc?) braced by a puckerish astringency which slowly, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, spicy, tangy/swt (50:50) finish with undertones of dusty tannins still present. For now & perhaps making its 20th? IMPRESSIVE! My EXC- with more a DISTINCT poss! :) 95+ pts WA & 17/20 Jancis Robinson. [This vendor's $53.95 is as good as any of the currently listed U.S. vendors on wine-searcher.]
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