Vertical Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, Colección Histórica 2012 a 2017 más botella 2018. Seguimos con la edición 2013, un coupage de Tempranillo 83%, Graciano 9%, Mazuelo 5% y Garnacha 3%, con una crianza de 16 meses en barricas de roble americano de 225 litros. Sin duda menos expresivo y complejo en nariz que la edición de 2012, pero algo más refinado y sutil en boca. Se está bebiendo muy bien ahora.
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I wrote in May 2019 (90p): "Colour of rims looks older than its taste. On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla. At the beginning of its drinking window I assume but could further improve in the next five years."
I wrote in May 2020 (90p): "Similar impression as in May 2019. The tertiary notes were a bit more prominent this time, especially herbs and pepper."
I wrote in April 2021 (91p): 3h decant. Palate has definitely matured since last year. Tobacco, acidity and herbs dominate the palate, followed by plums and oak. Must say that I like this Ygay better at this stage and I assume that this is top drinking window right now.
I write in October 2022 (91p): 1.5h decant. Similar impression as in 2021, maybe even more tobacco driven this time. I doubt that this Ygay will further improve with age...
Parker: 90p
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I wrote in May 2019 (90p): "Colour of rims looks older than its taste. On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla. At the beginning of its drinking window I assume but could further improve in the next five years."
I wrote in May 2020 (90p): "Similar impression as in May 2019. The tertiary notes were a bit more prominent this time, especially herbs and pepper."
I write in April 2021 (91p): 3h decant. Palate has definitely matured since last year. Tobacco, acidity and herbs dominate the palate, followed by plums and oak. Must say that I like this Ygay better at this stage and I assume that this is top drinking window right now.
Parker: 90p
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Popped and poured. Muted red fruit, some tertiary notes, elevated acidity, quite tannic, overall seems quite disjointed. The previous bottle I had about year ago was amazing. In its closed phase now?
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Have had several bottles of this but never made any notes. Have always enjoyed! Agree with others on notes of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, leather, and dill. I wouldn't have called dill on my own but seeing other tasting notes I think it is spot on. Or maybe just the power of suggestion. Fairly classical Rioja. Velvety tannins. Smooth finish. Really enjoyed with homemade pizza with smoked mozzarella and roasted ajvarsky (look them up and, more importantly, buy some seeds and add to your garden, they're awesone!)peppers.
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Arômes balsamiques...cèdre et bois de santal...fruits noirs sucrés, épices ainsi que des notes minérales...pierre. Un vin souple, fondu et fruité...longue finale chaude...poivre blanc. Boire d'ici 1-3 ans. 90+
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PNP. Rich red fruit aromas. On the palate cherry, oak and dill, leather notes just emerging. Lively acidity, slightly chewy tannins. Bit of a tart finish. Medium body. Classic rioja. Good value. Drink with decant.
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Not by design, but totally by chance, drinking this exactly 2 years to the day from when I last tried it and found it in a really good place. Aromas of cherry, blackberry, oak, vanilla, dill and hazelnut. Satin texture, medium body, polished tannins, with red fruit and citrus flavors on entry, plus dill and vanilla in the finish. A slight vegetal quality in the finish is the one discordant note. Still young, supple and seductive.
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Similar impression as in May 2019: "On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla." The tertiary notes were a bit more prominent this time, especially herbs and pepper.
Parker: 90p
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M crimson N: M intensity, dark fruits (plums, cherries) herbaceous (green bell pepper, dried herbs), brambles American oak, vanilla, smoked meat. P: M+ intensity, M tannin, M acid, M body, M alcohol, long finish. Blackcurrants, vanilla, plum, cherries, green pepper, cocoa. Excellent quality classic Rioja, layers of complexity and flavour.
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At the Steak House restaurant at LEGOLAND Resort Germany. A blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 3% Grenache. Aged for 16 months in American oak. 13.5%.
Medium to dark ruby colour. Inviting nose. Red fruit, red cherry, black raspberry, spices, vanilla and American oak. Medium-bodied, with lively acidity, well-integrated tannin and good length. A little thin and disjointed on its own, but the wine showed very well with food. For early and mid-term drinking. I would recommend decanting for at least 30 minutes. Good.
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Feel like I rushed this. After a while in decanter it opened up a lot, but prior to that, it was pretty flat and shut down, just no aroma. Then it developed into a pretty straight ahead Rioja, not overtly oaky, a little vanilla, some cherry notes, including black cherry. Enough of a bargain that I could grab another and wait longer.
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Bought 4 bottles at 13€/bottle on sale a few years ago, opened the first one today with 1h decant.
Colour of rims looks older than its taste. On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla. At the beginning of its drinking window I assume but could further improve in the next five years. 90+ points
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Sour cherries, plenty of acidity, an old school Rioja that I suspect will improve several points over the next three to four years and hold for another five.
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Light ruby. Light, thin, and overwhemed by green, piney wood. Short. Not at all for me (as opposed to the lovely 2009 Castillo Ygay we tried earlier today). Sorry, just not enough wine for the wood here.
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P: Med body; NICE almost swtish frt met by puckeriesh astringency which QUITE calms down by the LONG, balanced finish with notes of spice & a discrete swtness to the few very, VERY fine tannins. For now, but could well improve into '19, then EASILY make its 10th. Nicely Done! 13.5% ABV; My EXC-. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits. [Impressive QPR @ this vendor's $19.95, which is now as good as any on wine-searcher!]
Note: I also tasted this on 3/3, 3/24, 6/2, & 7/14/18, with fairly consistent TNs [something that doesn't happen NEARLY as much as I'd prefer.] ;)
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This wine has an intense smell of Bee Wax... Bee Wax smell really good, but I have never had this on a wine. After this, some red fruit under an earthy, smoke & leathery profile. Even on this lighter and really off vintage... The "Bouquet Library" of Murrieta, is one of the most rocambolesque ones, I could smell this wine for years...
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empranillo 83%, Garnacha 9%, Graciano 5% and Mazuelo 3%
Medium to full body, bright cherry color. Intense red fruits aroma complements by typical for Murrieta smoky wood and sweet spices. Dominant black cherry and plum palate with long juicy finish. Rich and complex but very fresh, silky and balanced, wild berries acidity and rounded tannins. Food friendly, best match is rice dishes or Mediterranean salads with light cheeses. Open about one hour ahead. Serve 18º - 20º. Still young but very enjoyable, drink now and next six years.
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P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by puckerish astringency which DOES lose its bite as it transitions into the LONG, very, VERY slightly spicy, VERY slightly tangy finish with a swtness to the very, VERY slight tannins. Deserves/NEEDS through '19, then making its 10th. 13.5% ABV; My EXC-, poss more later? 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits. [Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.95 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries.]
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The wine hasn't aged a bit since my last tasting note. Tabacco leaves, soaked plums, rum tea, lovely cherries, too. Nice wine with some complexity. It lacks refinement however. The finish is a bit hot/alcoholic and hollow, too.
3h air before drinking this mostly Tempranillo (9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 3% Garnacha) from Rioja. Medium Ruby color. Bold aromas of black cherry, cedar, smoke and pepper. Vibrant on entry, with a silky texture, the cedar remains in the forefront, with dark and red fruit flavors coming in the mid-palate. Full-bodied, but rigid, straight through the lengthy finish. Dark and brooding, overpowered by tannins at this moment, this one feels like it’s worth cellar space to see what develops.
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N: Fragrant VANILLA & spice with cherries underneath
P: LM body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by some tangy astringency which slowly, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly tangy finish with notes of bitterswtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. Should improve for the next yr or so, then drink for 3 more... min. 13.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits. [Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.99 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries.]
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Enjoyed this with a spicy tomato based Portuguese fish stew. A bit acidic at first but either the long decant took the edges off the wine or me. Either way it worked nicely.
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Quite red fruited!, brown leaves, floral, hints of leather and wild herbs. Soft yet vibrant, lovely wildish red berry fruit, licks of vanilla. Nice elegant/restrained/less ripe vintage of this!
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83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, & 3% Garnacha, aged for 16 mos in 225 litre AM oak barrels.
N: Smoke, berries, poss pyrazines?
P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt nicely counterbalanced by a tangy acidity which slowly, fairly seamlessly extends through the LONG, tangy/swt finish with a deft balance. BEAUTIFULLY done, & may still improve through Summer '18, then poss making its 10th? 13.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.95 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits.
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P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with nice frt met by some puckerish astringency which morphs into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with unobjectionable, very, VERY fine tannins. DESERVES into early '19, then making its 10th without question. My EXC- with potential for EXC+. Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.95 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits.
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Medium ruby. Complex nose of plums, dark cherries, sweet spice, hints of oak and dried herbs. Medium bodied, juicy fruit, vibrant and youthful, balancing acidity with nice slightly sour length. Good to see that you don't "hear" the oak that much (for Rioja standards that is). That's a good wine with some life ahead.
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Earth and wet leaves on the nose. Balanced, smooth tannins, restrained berry fruit, violets. Large volume bottling that perhaps lacks character, good value Rioja nevertheless.
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Decanted 1h. Nose of dark berries, blueberry, discrete oak tones and herbs. Medium bodied with taste of dark berries, plums, herbs, vanillia, chocolate and a medium finish. A great wine, easy to drink and paired excellent to our beaf steak. Will be interesting to follow this vintage for the next five years.
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Color: You can see through the wine. Nose: Red berries, old lame spices beyond the expiration date, rum tea. Mouth: Quite some length. Grenadine, too. Aromas are nice but somehow this wine doesn't blow me away. It is a very good wine but just lacking the "it" factor. However I like that it is a traditional wine and not a beefed up version. Well, the Spaniards are done with the new world style and this is good. Medium bodied wine.
3/14/2024 - fredfta wrote: 93 Points
Vertical Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, Colección Histórica 2012 a 2017 más botella 2018. Seguimos con la edición 2013, un coupage de Tempranillo 83%, Graciano 9%, Mazuelo 5% y Garnacha 3%, con una crianza de 16 meses en barricas de roble americano de 225 litros. Sin duda menos expresivo y complejo en nariz que la edición de 2012, pero algo más refinado y sutil en boca. Se está bebiendo muy bien ahora.
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12/14/2023 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Better than the previous bottle. More modern style of Rioja, with good fruit and oak.
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11/22/2023 - empire80 Likes this wine: 90 Points
A good example of traditional rioja, drinking well now but no rush
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11/18/2023 - pdadams66 wrote: 88 Points
Well made, but has a jammy note that I find a challenge. Not clear that more time would improve things.
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11/24/2022 - MDRwinos wrote: 87 Points
PnP. Rioja is a different offering for Thanksgiving. Some liked the spiciness, others not so much. Good QPR for a decent drinker.
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10/1/2022 - -Tim- Likes this wine: 91 Points
Last of four bottles.
I wrote in May 2019 (90p):
"Colour of rims looks older than its taste. On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla. At the beginning of its drinking window I assume but could further improve in the next five years."
I wrote in May 2020 (90p):
"Similar impression as in May 2019. The tertiary notes were a bit more prominent this time, especially herbs and pepper."
I wrote in April 2021 (91p):
3h decant. Palate has definitely matured since last year. Tobacco, acidity and herbs dominate the palate, followed by plums and oak. Must say that I like this Ygay better at this stage and I assume that this is top drinking window right now.
I write in October 2022 (91p):
1.5h decant. Similar impression as in 2021, maybe even more tobacco driven this time. I doubt that this Ygay will further improve with age...
Parker: 90p
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4/20/2021 - -Tim- Likes this wine: 91 Points
Third of four bottles.
I wrote in May 2019 (90p):
"Colour of rims looks older than its taste. On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla. At the beginning of its drinking window I assume but could further improve in the next five years."
I wrote in May 2020 (90p):
"Similar impression as in May 2019. The tertiary notes were a bit more prominent this time, especially herbs and pepper."
I write in April 2021 (91p):
3h decant. Palate has definitely matured since last year. Tobacco, acidity and herbs dominate the palate, followed by plums and oak. Must say that I like this Ygay better at this stage and I assume that this is top drinking window right now.
Parker: 90p
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2/24/2021 - rosuoter wrote:
Popped and poured. Muted red fruit, some tertiary notes, elevated acidity, quite tannic, overall seems quite disjointed. The previous bottle I had about year ago was amazing. In its closed phase now?
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1/13/2021 - Doblk wrote: 90 Points
In line with other reviews. Drinking very well right now.
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12/14/2020 - MDRwinos wrote: 90 Points
Smooth drinker. Peppery spice. Excellent QPR.
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9/7/2020 - Redfish wrote: 90 Points
Have had several bottles of this but never made any notes. Have always enjoyed! Agree with others on notes of cherry, blackberry, vanilla, leather, and dill. I wouldn't have called dill on my own but seeing other tasting notes I think it is spot on. Or maybe just the power of suggestion. Fairly classical Rioja. Velvety tannins. Smooth finish. Really enjoyed with homemade pizza with smoked mozzarella and roasted ajvarsky (look them up and, more importantly, buy some seeds and add to your garden, they're awesone!)peppers.
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8/19/2020 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 90 Points
Arômes balsamiques...cèdre et bois de santal...fruits noirs sucrés, épices ainsi que des notes minérales...pierre. Un vin souple, fondu et fruité...longue finale chaude...poivre blanc. Boire d'ici 1-3 ans. 90+
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7/30/2020 - Maphill01 Likes this wine:
PNP. Rich red fruit aromas. On the palate cherry, oak and dill, leather notes just emerging. Lively acidity, slightly chewy tannins. Bit of a tart finish. Medium body. Classic rioja. Good value. Drink with decant.
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6/8/2020 - daveyk39 wrote: 91 Points
Not by design, but totally by chance, drinking this exactly 2 years to the day from when I last tried it and found it in a really good place. Aromas of cherry, blackberry, oak, vanilla, dill and hazelnut. Satin texture, medium body, polished tannins, with red fruit and citrus flavors on entry, plus dill and vanilla in the finish. A slight vegetal quality in the finish is the one discordant note. Still young, supple and seductive.
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5/31/2020 - -Tim- Likes this wine: 90 Points
3h decant.
Similar impression as in May 2019: "On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla." The tertiary notes were a bit more prominent this time, especially herbs and pepper.
Parker: 90p
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3/1/2020 - empire80 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Still young but shaping up nicely. Fresh acidity, cherry fruit, sappy oak. good with a shoulder of lamb.
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1/26/2020 - Rune Schwartz Likes this wine: 90 Points
Elegant Rioja nose. Medium+ lively acid. Moderate tannins. Nice fruit. Well balanced with some complxity and pleasant long aftertaste.
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1/13/2020 - Eularino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bom mas nao extraordinário, não vale o preço.
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1/8/2020 - Tom Prior-Grice Likes this wine:
M crimson
N: M intensity, dark fruits (plums, cherries) herbaceous (green bell pepper, dried herbs), brambles American oak, vanilla, smoked meat.
P: M+ intensity, M tannin, M acid, M body, M alcohol, long finish. Blackcurrants, vanilla, plum, cherries, green pepper, cocoa.
Excellent quality classic Rioja, layers of complexity and flavour.
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10/19/2019 - PSPatrick wrote: 89 Points
At the Steak House restaurant at LEGOLAND Resort Germany. A blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 3% Grenache. Aged for 16 months in American oak. 13.5%.
Medium to dark ruby colour. Inviting nose. Red fruit, red cherry, black raspberry, spices, vanilla and American oak. Medium-bodied, with lively acidity, well-integrated tannin and good length. A little thin and disjointed on its own, but the wine showed very well with food. For early and mid-term drinking. I would recommend decanting for at least 30 minutes. Good.
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6/15/2019 - Not647f wrote:
Feel like I rushed this. After a while in decanter it opened up a lot, but prior to that, it was pretty flat and shut down, just no aroma. Then it developed into a pretty straight ahead Rioja, not overtly oaky, a little vanilla, some cherry notes, including black cherry. Enough of a bargain that I could grab another and wait longer.
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5/12/2019 - -Tim- Likes this wine: 90 Points
Bought 4 bottles at 13€/bottle on sale a few years ago, opened the first one today with 1h decant.
Colour of rims looks older than its taste. On the palate plums, black cherries, tobacco, spices, wood and a bit of vanilla. At the beginning of its drinking window I assume but could further improve in the next five years. 90+ points
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3/6/2019 - empire80 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Sour cherries, plenty of acidity, an old school Rioja that I suspect will improve several points over the next three to four years and hold for another five.
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11/30/2018 - CMohawk wrote: 92 Points
Quintessential Rioja,
Jammy like few others with subtle raisin aromas and strong codalie.
2018-2028
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11/24/2018 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 90 Points
Académie des Cinquante Tasting “Spain according to Peñin” (Restaurant Bij Qunis, Lijnden, NL): Tasted blind. Youthful appearance with some browning on the edges; classic Rioja nose, harmonious and complete, good depth; classical palate, Tempranillo flavours, well balanced, elegant, good oak; finish needs more time to develop.
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11/13/2018 - drwine2001 wrote:
Light ruby. Light, thin, and overwhemed by green, piney wood. Short. Not at all for me (as opposed to the lovely 2009 Castillo Ygay we tried earlier today). Sorry, just not enough wine for the wood here.
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10/12/2018 - CLL Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rating transferred from Vivino in Jan 2021 and translated to 100 point scale.
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9/24/2018 - jakob.krummenacher@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
A modern Rioja that keeps a lot of the traditional values! Very good and can last 5-8 years.
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9/22/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [1 Rosé, 3 Whts, & 8 Reds] from 09/21/18 + 2 Shared Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, & 3% Garnacha, aged for 16 mos in 225 litre AM oak barrels; 10,000 cases imported
N: Vanilla with notes of smoke atop berries
P: Med body; NICE almost swtish frt met by puckeriesh astringency which QUITE calms down by the LONG, balanced finish with notes of spice & a discrete swtness to the few very, VERY fine tannins. For now, but could well improve into '19, then EASILY make its 10th. Nicely Done! 13.5% ABV; My EXC-. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits. [Impressive QPR @ this vendor's $19.95, which is now as good as any on wine-searcher!]
Note: I also tasted this on 3/3, 3/24, 6/2, & 7/14/18, with fairly consistent TNs [something that doesn't happen NEARLY as much as I'd prefer.] ;)
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9/20/2018 - TACAMA wrote: 90 Points
This wine has an intense smell of Bee Wax... Bee Wax smell really good, but I have never had this on a wine.
After this, some red fruit under an earthy, smoke & leathery profile.
Even on this lighter and really off vintage... The "Bouquet Library" of Murrieta, is one of the most rocambolesque ones,
I could smell this wine for years...
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9/7/2018 - gwkozar Likes this wine: 90 Points
opened up with air
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8/18/2018 - vlzat wrote: 90 Points
empranillo 83%, Garnacha 9%, Graciano 5% and Mazuelo 3%
Medium to full body, bright cherry color. Intense red fruits aroma complements by typical for Murrieta smoky wood and sweet spices. Dominant black cherry and plum palate with long juicy finish. Rich and complex but very fresh, silky and balanced, wild berries acidity and rounded tannins. Food friendly, best match is rice dishes or Mediterranean salads with light cheeses. Open about one hour ahead. Serve 18º - 20º. Still young but very enjoyable, drink now and next six years.
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7/25/2018 - davidlaurence wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed this with a nice steak and roast vegetables
Nice Rioja. Lighter bodied and good with food.
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7/14/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Spanish Reds (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, & 3% Garnacha, aged for 16 mos in 225 litre AM oak barrels
N: AM oak with notes of coconut [TY, budosyu]
P: Med body; NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by puckerish astringency which DOES lose its bite as it transitions into the LONG, very, VERY slightly spicy, VERY slightly tangy finish with a swtness to the very, VERY slight tannins. Deserves/NEEDS through '19, then making its 10th. 13.5% ABV; My EXC-, poss more later? 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits. [Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.95 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries.]
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7/10/2018 - wineaficionado Likes this wine: 86 Points
The wine hasn't aged a bit since my last tasting note. Tabacco leaves, soaked plums, rum tea, lovely cherries, too. Nice wine with some complexity. It lacks refinement however. The finish is a bit hot/alcoholic and hollow, too.
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6/17/2018 - adamanko wrote: 86 Points
Typically Rioja. Yeah I get the dill as well. Quite luxorious in the mouth. If you like that style this is for you.
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6/8/2018 - jakob.krummenacher@gmail.com wrote: 88 Points
This bottle was off! Not undrinkable but much lighter than usual.
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6/8/2018 - daveyk39 Likes this wine: 90 Points
3h air before drinking this mostly Tempranillo (9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo and 3% Garnacha) from Rioja. Medium Ruby color. Bold aromas of black cherry, cedar, smoke and pepper. Vibrant on entry, with a silky texture, the cedar remains in the forefront, with dark and red fruit flavors coming in the mid-palate. Full-bodied, but rigid, straight through the lengthy finish. Dark and brooding, overpowered by tannins at this moment, this one feels like it’s worth cellar space to see what develops.
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6/2/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Taste Top Wines for June (San Diego Wine Co.): 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, & 3% Garnacha, aged for 16 mos in 225 litre AM oak barrels
N: Fragrant VANILLA & spice with cherries underneath
P: LM body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by some tangy astringency which slowly, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly tangy finish with notes of bitterswtness to the very, VERY fine tannins. Should improve for the next yr or so, then drink for 3 more... min. 13.5% ABV; My VG+/EXC-. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits. [Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.99 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries.]
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5/25/2018 - David Laniado wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed this with a spicy tomato based Portuguese fish stew. A bit acidic at first but either the long decant took the edges off the wine or me. Either way it worked nicely.
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5/5/2018 - Bearbus Likes this wine:
Quite red fruited!, brown leaves, floral, hints of leather and wild herbs. Soft yet vibrant, lovely wildish red berry fruit, licks of vanilla. Nice elegant/restrained/less ripe vintage of this!
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4/21/2018 - tantotinto wrote: 88 Points
Cherry and earth with a tart and tannic finish. The fruit is struggling to make itself noticed in this tight and lean wine.
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4/13/2018 - whits wrote: flawed
perfumed with red berries and flowers, this seemed somewhat cooked and sour, I'll chalk it up as a bad bottle
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4/1/2018 - Richard Holmes Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Re-confirmed that I just don't like most Rioja very much. Clearly well made but nasty, bitter oak tannin overpowers the sweet but delicate fruit.
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3/24/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whts, 8 Reds, + 6 Shared Bottles] from 3/23/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): THANK you, Eugene!
83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, & 3% Garnacha, aged for 16 mos in 225 litre AM oak barrels.
N: Smoke, berries, poss pyrazines?
P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt nicely counterbalanced by a tangy acidity which slowly, fairly seamlessly extends through the LONG, tangy/swt finish with a deft balance. BEAUTIFULLY done, & may still improve through Summer '18, then poss making its 10th? 13.5% ABV; My EXC-/EXC. Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.95 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits.
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3/3/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites & 8 Reds] from 3/2/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, & 3% Garnacha, aged for 16 mos in 225 litre AM oak barrels.
N: Vanilla atop cherries with earth underneath
P: Med, poss LM, body; RNDISH entry with nice frt met by some puckerish astringency which morphs into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with unobjectionable, very, VERY fine tannins. DESERVES into early '19, then making its 10th without question. My EXC- with potential for EXC+. Impressive QPR @ this vendor's competitive $19.95 which, nonetheless, CAN be beaten by several of the current wine-searcher entries. 92 pts WA, 91 ea Suckling & WS, and 90 ea Guia Peñin and Wine & Spirits.
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2/20/2018 - evanqian wrote: 90 Points
Dense ripe dark fruits, jammy, with strong oaky notes. Bold tannins, m++ finish, a very traditional Rioja.
Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 16/20, Overall 3+3/10
Total 90/100
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2/17/2018 - Yorgos wrote: 90 Points
Medium ruby. Complex nose of plums, dark cherries, sweet spice, hints of oak and dried herbs. Medium bodied, juicy fruit, vibrant and youthful, balancing acidity with nice slightly sour length. Good to see that you don't "hear" the oak that much (for Rioja standards that is). That's a good wine with some life ahead.
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12/18/2017 - Stags Likes this wine: 90 Points
Earth and wet leaves on the nose. Balanced, smooth tannins, restrained berry fruit, violets. Large volume bottling that perhaps lacks character, good value Rioja nevertheless.
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12/6/2017 - wineaficionado Likes this wine: 89 Points
A mixture between soaked dried plums and cherries. There is really a juicyness to it. Tabacco leaves, too. Nice refreshing fruity sourness.
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11/15/2017 - FransS wrote: 88 Points
Some ripeness showing, balanced, modest wood/vanilla; a serious wine.
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10/21/2017 - winefocus Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted 1h. Nose of dark berries, blueberry, discrete oak tones and herbs. Medium bodied with taste of dark berries, plums, herbs, vanillia, chocolate and a medium finish. A great wine, easy to drink and paired excellent to our beaf steak. Will be interesting to follow this vintage for the next five years.
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8/17/2017 - wineaficionado Likes this wine: 87 Points
Color: You can see through the wine. Nose: Red berries, old lame spices beyond the expiration date, rum tea. Mouth: Quite some length. Grenadine, too. Aromas are nice but somehow this wine doesn't blow me away. It is a very good wine but just lacking the "it" factor. However I like that it is a traditional wine and not a beefed up version. Well, the Spaniards are done with the new world style and this is good. Medium bodied wine.
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