Last tasted on July 29, 2012- I remember this been damn good and it was even better this time around. One hour decant was all that was required. Light bodied with very nice balance and an exceptional finish. Can’t find any faults in this wine. This is in its prime and will be enjoyable for another decade.
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Tuesday Night Double Blind $50+ (Alpharetta, GA): Dark crimson core, sediment, red rim; balm, red cherry liqueur, oak; sweet fruit, sappy, currant, long finish, slight medicinal, good acid, almost dried leaves, Amarone-esque ripeness and texture; this is not 14%.
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At uncorking, it starts out with a neutral, mild-plum flavors, but with air it soon opens up showing lots of tart-cherry flavors. I don't notice much tannin unless it is hiding under the acid and fruit. In an hour or so the fruit intensifies to balance nicely with the tartness. Drinking very well at this point, but still shows a primary profile with all that acid and fruit; probably more upside.
This is obviously a superior wine for experienced or neophyte wine drinkers, in other words, someone used to $10 wines will really notice how nice it is. The tartness complemented nicely the cream sauce in chicken marsala.
This is clearly a superior wine, thus worth it if this price range is in your budget.
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As has become a habit, popped open an hour before heading to resto (Contigo SF) to check if all ok. Well, clearly not all ok with this bottle. Initial sniff had some brett (for a young rioja?!?) and quickly followed by red fruit and wood. First sip was - Sour fruit, and some dusty tannins. Gave 10 mins, slight improvement but still disjointed and - sour fruit still dominating. Painful as it is for me to have to do this, straight to the sink and down the drain this wine goes. Replaced with a La Nieta 2005, notes to follow.
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Muscular, spicy oak, ripe blue fruit, Old World aromatics. This was just a huge wine that seems to need some more time to integrate. Tons of potential. 91+pts.
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The nose of this wine had plum, cherry, oak and some brett. The palate was lighter than I had expected with currant and plum flavors accompanied by a light mocha note. Medium bodied with a medium length finish. I haven't had a lot of Tempranillo, and it's possible that some of the nuances that people enjoy about this wine were lost on me with all of the huge Napa Cabs that we were drinking this night.
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Still very young. This was drunk at a tasting with a lot of beautiful mature Riojas ('68 and '70 La Rioja Alta '890', '85 Tondonia, etc.), so it was a bit out of place. Nevertheless, I was very impressed. This did not strike me as being excessively 'modern'. It was certainly ripe, but well-balanced and very complex for such a young wine. It showed a deft touch with the oak treatment. Probably the most modern thing about this wine is the massive bottle. This was a very pure, well-made Rioja that should really improve with age.
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3/16/2020 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 94 Points
Last tasted on July 29, 2012- I remember this been damn good and it was even better this time around. One hour decant was all that was required. Light bodied with very nice balance and an exceptional finish. Can’t find any faults in this wine. This is in its prime and will be enjoyable for another decade.
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7/11/2017 - Rezy13 wrote:
Tuesday Night Double Blind $50+ (Alpharetta, GA): Dark crimson core, sediment, red rim; balm, red cherry liqueur, oak; sweet fruit, sappy, currant, long finish, slight medicinal, good acid, almost dried leaves, Amarone-esque ripeness and texture; this is not 14%.
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2/7/2015 - ParkHill wrote: 94 Points
At uncorking, it starts out with a neutral, mild-plum flavors, but with air it soon opens up showing lots of tart-cherry flavors. I don't notice much tannin unless it is hiding under the acid and fruit. In an hour or so the fruit intensifies to balance nicely with the tartness. Drinking very well at this point, but still shows a primary profile with all that acid and fruit; probably more upside.
This is obviously a superior wine for experienced or neophyte wine drinkers, in other words, someone used to $10 wines will really notice how nice it is. The tartness complemented nicely the cream sauce in chicken marsala.
This is clearly a superior wine, thus worth it if this price range is in your budget.
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12/24/2014 - aslan-m Likes this wine: 93 Points
Needs 3 to 4 hour decant.
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1/16/2014 - Marcyrillo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Confraria - Espanha (Arturito): Very young. Balanced oak, raspberry, very fresh, medium body. Need few years to evolve.
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1/16/2014 - LFCHALA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Confraria Janeiro 2014 (Restaurante Arturito - São Paulo - São Paulo): Very good. Elegant. Aromas of black fruits. 2003 was not its best vintage, but it does not disappoint. This is an excellent producer who makes a difference
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7/29/2012 - N.Bonaparte wrote: 95 Points
Decanted one hour. Although not complex, the finish is incredible making this a stellar wine and a great value.
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12/29/2011 - Madaboutwine wrote: flawed
As has become a habit, popped open an hour before heading to resto (Contigo SF) to check if all ok. Well, clearly not all ok with this bottle. Initial sniff had some brett (for a young rioja?!?) and quickly followed by red fruit and wood. First sip was - Sour fruit, and some dusty tannins. Gave 10 mins, slight improvement but still disjointed and - sour fruit still dominating. Painful as it is for me to have to do this, straight to the sink and down the drain this wine goes. Replaced with a La Nieta 2005, notes to follow.
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5/18/2009 - Jared wrote: 91 Points
Muscular, spicy oak, ripe blue fruit, Old World aromatics. This was just a huge wine that seems to need some more time to integrate. Tons of potential. 91+pts.
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5/17/2009 - last chance wrote: 89 Points
The nose of this wine had plum, cherry, oak and some brett. The palate was lighter than I had expected with currant and plum flavors accompanied by a light mocha note. Medium bodied with a medium length finish. I haven't had a lot of Tempranillo, and it's possible that some of the nuances that people enjoy about this wine were lost on me with all of the huge Napa Cabs that we were drinking this night.
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1/8/2009 - Spencer wrote: 94 Points
Still very young. This was drunk at a tasting with a lot of beautiful mature Riojas ('68 and '70 La Rioja Alta '890', '85 Tondonia, etc.), so it was a bit out of place. Nevertheless, I was very impressed. This did not strike me as being excessively 'modern'. It was certainly ripe, but well-balanced and very complex for such a young wine. It showed a deft touch with the oak treatment. Probably the most modern thing about this wine is the massive bottle. This was a very pure, well-made Rioja that should really improve with age.
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10/27/2007 - BTT wrote: 88 Points
The Wine Club (San Francisco, CA): Expected more at this price point. Dark chocolate and cherry nose, thin finish.
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