I was never a big fan of this winery but have given it many opportunities to prove me wrong. This bottle confirmed my previous impressions. The wine is both quite polished and way to oaky at the same time. Lots of toasted oak, lots of vanilla but to me a middle-of-the road (or mass market oriented?) wine that's trying too hard to please and lacking everything that makes a great Gran Reserva typical and special.
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Dusty with muted fruit on the nose. Tannins have mellowed over time but are still balanced with acid for a spare but pleasing mouthfeel. Olives and peppers hint at the taste but nice wine with food.
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Dark dark robe. Floral bouquet at first, then some leather, some wood, hints of vanilla. The attack was good, medium acid and medium tannins. I thunk a well balanced wine. I will buy again.
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Henri Bloem tasting, Bloemendaal, november 7: 30 months in wood (50/50 French/American); for me too much wood impression, but I have to say that the wine and the body can bear it; a bit dry in the finish.
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Tät röd färg med tegelstick. Utvecklad kryddig doft med toner av torkade möra bär, jord, höst, dill, kakao och vanilj. Balanserad syra och strävhet. Skapligt komplext. Lång smak där frukten framträder mer än i doft.
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Expressive from the word go. Has deliciously perfumed and bright berry fruits. There's a suggestion of saddle leather and some spice too. Waves of rich creamy fruits lap over the palate and it finishes with plenty of savoury nuance and good acid freshness. Really delicious.
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Together with rumpateak and sallad and nice complements is this a marvellous vine. No vanilla, more a Brunello in charactar! Balanced, cherry, coffe, chocolat, stays in tongue in a pleasant way, askungen for more! Strong curtains, can be cellared several years more
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12/21/2023 - Frost Casselbrant’s Cave Likes this wine: 90 Points
Light, colour and taste. Lots of cherry, not a typical Rioja. Nice with a cheese and charcuterie plate
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12/2/2022 - Frost Casselbrant’s Cave Likes this wine: 89 Points
A scent of vanilla, rather closed. Easy to drink without being extraordinary.
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11/9/2022 - winesnout Does not like this wine: 88 Points
I was never a big fan of this winery but have given it many opportunities to prove me wrong. This bottle confirmed my previous impressions. The wine is both quite polished and way to oaky at the same time. Lots of toasted oak, lots of vanilla but to me a middle-of-the road (or mass market oriented?) wine that's trying too hard to please and lacking everything that makes a great Gran Reserva typical and special.
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7/9/2022 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 90 Points
I had a preconceived idea that this producer had a bit of a balsamic VA style. But not this bottle.
Interesting, complex, mature Rioja. Not super league but fine wine nevertheless. Warm, satisfying, not suped up.
Enjoy over the next decade.
14%, cork.
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5/28/2022 - Stuart10er Likes this wine:
Dusty with muted fruit on the nose. Tannins have mellowed over time but are still balanced with acid for a spare but pleasing mouthfeel. Olives and peppers hint at the taste but nice wine with food.
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2/13/2022 - Martin_G wrote: 89 Points
This is good, and enough substance to let it rest too. Whats a better value in Rioja at 15€?
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2/6/2022 - Jona wrote: 87 Points
Nah... little bit too oaky. Not worth the price here.
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1/25/2022 - Norhut Likes this wine: 88 Points
Dark dark robe.
Floral bouquet at first, then some leather, some wood, hints of vanilla.
The attack was good, medium acid and medium tannins.
I thunk a well balanced wine. I will buy again.
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11/7/2021 - FransS wrote: 89 Points
Henri Bloem tasting, Bloemendaal, november 7: 30 months in wood (50/50 French/American); for me too much wood impression, but I have to say that the wine and the body can bear it; a bit dry in the finish.
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10/28/2021 - Hampe wrote: 89 Points
Tät röd färg med tegelstick. Utvecklad kryddig doft med toner av torkade möra bär, jord, höst, dill, kakao och vanilj. Balanserad syra och strävhet. Skapligt komplext. Lång smak där frukten framträder mer än i doft.
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10/28/2021 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Expressive from the word go. Has deliciously perfumed and bright berry fruits. There's a suggestion of saddle leather and some spice too. Waves of rich creamy fruits lap over the palate and it finishes with plenty of savoury nuance and good acid freshness. Really delicious.
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10/21/2021 - StewartWent Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Tired, surprisingly so. Old red fruits, dry and somewhat lifeless. Should show a lot better than it does. Really not much happening at all.
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8/25/2021 - Nyllet wrote:
Figs, chocolate and murky wood. Very integrated with high acidity. Clearly over the hill and might be an off bottle.
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8/20/2021 - popesign Likes this wine: 85 Points
Nice to a pizza with seafood and garlic !
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3/13/2021 - Frost Casselbrant’s Cave Likes this wine: 90 Points
Together with rumpateak and sallad and nice complements is this a marvellous vine. No vanilla, more a Brunello in charactar! Balanced, cherry, coffe, chocolat, stays in tongue in a pleasant way, askungen for more!
Strong curtains, can be cellared several years more
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10/31/2020 - UrbanGrill Likes this wine: 89 Points
Oaky yes, but also with good acidity and fruit. Can be kept and will probably develop slowly. Very good value.
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6/4/2020 - Jpaar wrote: 80 Points
Deep somewhat hazy ruby. Cedar, red currant, cocoa, leather. Medium acidity, medium+ chalky tannins, dry. Very oaky and challenging. No much body.
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