Deep ruby on the pour. Blackberry, black cherry, maybe some dill and tobacco leaf on the nose. Hefty legs. Powdery tannins which became more pronounced as time went on. Medium acidity. Tart. Earthy. Dry and bold. Medium bodied. Leather, black cherry, black pepper, vanilla on the palate. Lots of personality. One-plus hour decant.
The always dependable Marqués de Riscal strikes again. Thumbs up!
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On the nose a fresh fruit, quite light and mild oak. Balance with a slight dry touch when PnP. A Tempranillo typical bouquet and with some air the body is there.
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Fresh floral and warming nose. First sip has red berries, bramble, and earth. The tannins have just enough grip to be noticed and appreciated. Slightly bright with barrel wood, mild tobacco, and fine leather in the middle. Smooth and medium finish at the end. Just enough complexity to be enjoyed with a fine meal, and at a tremendous value. Decanted for 1.5 hours and served with lamb and olive stew.
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Very well put together classically styled Rioja reserva. Quite oaky and vanilla nose on first opening but this mellowed to leave menthol and herb seasoned dusty red and berry fruits, cherry cola notes. Nice acidity to lift the palate and smoooooth tannins. Picked up in Majestic mystery case at £5 per bottle equivalent, an absolute steal at that price, not sure I would rebuy at the market price. Although I couldn't technically fault it, there are more interesting wines out there
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Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent both days. The 2017 Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” pours a deep ruby with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with dark cherries, ripe bruised strawberries, baked apple, hibiscus, toasted coconut, vanilla, new leather and some baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Medium+ alcohol. A lovely pairing with my sort of modern riff on paella for a quick Tuesday evening meal. More please!
Having enjoyed vintages going back to the early 1980’s, I think Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” is one of the last few, true bargains in the wine world. They are classic in the sense that they are unmistakably Rioja and they have the ability to age for decades. It’s very hard for me to think of another wine that is widely available for under $30 that can drink this well and cellar that long. Let’s enjoy the disparity while we can!
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Good+. I've gone through about a case so far, maybe a bit more, as my local Costco offered (is now on the '18 vintage) for just $17 - a dollar more than the 2001 I bought by the case in the mid 2000s, which is crazy. Sure, this is a daily drinker, but much like the '01, this is a wine that can go a decade, or more, along a positive trajectory. Medium-bodied, solid sense of place/soil, grape and honestly captures the vintage's characteristics. It's not fair to ask any more of it. Easily recommended, 14,5% abv.
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Dark cherry color with subtle aromas of black licorice at first pour. Flavors of sour raspberry, oak and a hint of tobacco. Medium body, high acidity, and sharp tannins. Almost too much alcohol bite for my palate. Good wine for the price. Update… more black cherry flavors and more balance after 2 hours. Still - good wine for the $20
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This is reliable year after year. Deep red-purple with weighty body. The bright acidity balances the wine, and it skirts having too much alcoholic heat. There are some red fruits in ample quantity, but it’s the distinctive perfume that makes it consistent.
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89/90. In a local restaurant so no decant time.PnP. Has subdued aromas of flowers, blueberries, vanilla hints, cherries. Its solid medium bodied decently oaked blue and red fruits palate has very good depth, nice freshness and mediumish, zingy a bit unknit length. 14%. Would have needed a couple of hours aeration to broaden out. Drink in 2-5 years. This was great with Albondigas and Chorizo and lovely with Manchego.
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Lovely aromatics. Dark fruit, black cherries, violets, oak spice, leather, and herbs. The palate is bright, succulent, and smoothly textured, with plenty of fine structure and nice length. This is very refined all around.
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I like this wine. Beautiful fruit with both red and blue berries. The oak is well integrated and gives the wine pleasant “finish”. Not a complex wine but certainly a well-made Rioja with emphasis on the fruity notes. A drinkable wine and fairly good value for money…
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Certainly the best Rioja at this price point of 20 euro that I have been drinking in my wine career ! Tempranillo dominated blend. Extremely well structured and balanced. So smooth drinking that the bottle is empty before you know it !
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Heavily oaked Tempranillo…if anyone follows me, they will know that I am biased against the grape. Heavy new oak treatment is the only way to add complexity to Tempranillo IMO. Otherwise it is just a one dimensional wine. Not flawed or poorly made but also not a wine I like to drink. This has big tannins both from the grape and the barrel (tastes like new American oak but I don’t know that for sure) does have a core of black cherry and black raspberry fruit. Not much else. Most of this bottle used for braising short ribs. P.S. From other notes it seems this spent 24 months in New American oak. This pretty well explains the wine. Overdone for me.
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This is medium to full bodied with medium high acidity and smooth tannins. The aromas are of raspberry, black cherry with some pepper. The flavors are of blackberry, plum with some vanilla oak. Well done from one of the oldest wineries in Rioja.
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A basic, easy to drink wine that I keep in the house. It "punches" well above its price point. The color is dark red. There is minimal bouquet. There is a nice balance of fruit and tannin. I have served many bottles of this wine and have never been disappointed.
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Had a fruity nose. Tart and bitter at first but mellowed as it sat. Towards the end with food started to enjoy it more. Was sweet on the tongue but astringent as with longer tastes.
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Smells of fresh raspberry, stewed red fruit and vanilla. Medium, well-integrated tannins that did not need much air to mellow out. Alcohol was showing a teeny bit. but I think you're doing quite well if you're getting this less than $20
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Probando añada de este siempre certero Rioja, elaborado con Tempranillo y algo de Graciano. Crianza de 24 meses en barrica de roble americano. Alc. 14% vol. En copa, quizás un perfil más moderno que añadas anteriores, con la inconfundible presencia de notas de crianza como la vainilla y el cedro, pero con frutas más destacadas, frescas y maduras, rojas y negras. Un vino con cuerpo y estructura, aunque muy redondo, para ser disfrutado ahora o guardado durante un par de años.
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2017 Marque de Riscal Rioja Reserva was elegant, expressive and savoury. The developing Rioja Alavesa was clear and medium ruby in colour without any noticeable sediments. Aromas of bramble and black cherry were accompanied by American oak artefact of butterscotch and liquorice. Underneath were complexities of dust, tilted soil and dried mushroom.
The mouthfeel was dry and medium-bodied with a medium level of powdery tannin. It was contrasted by a high level of fresh acidity. There were flavours of raspberry, vanilla, tobacco and anise spice in a medium, earthy finish. The 14.2% alcohol was well-concealed in its fresh acidity and elegant texture. The empty bottle weighed 475 grams.
The blend is composed of 96% Tempranillo and 4% Graciano. The vines are cultivated on clay and limestone soil in the cool, high-altitude climate of Rioja Alavesa. The wine is raised in American oak barrels for two years, and further rests in bottle for another year, prior to commercial release.
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Winery tasting. 2017 Marques de Riscal Reserva. $25. 24 months in American oak, then one year in bottle before release. 14.2% alcohol. Mid dark garnet; viscous; red fruit, sweet wood, berry nose; mid acids mid tannins semi long woody, red fruit finish. 16 UC Davis scale, 90 other scales.
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Colour: medium ruby Nose: medium(+) intensity, tertiary, secondary, clean. Red and black plum, strawberry, cranberry. Balsamic. Coconut, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, cedar -- American oak very dominant when first opened, but becomes more balanced with air. Starting to develop notes of tobacco and leather, but still seems quite young. Palate: dry, medium(+) acidity, medium(+) tannins, medium alcohol (14%), medium(+) bodied. Medium length finish, medium intensity. Red and black plum, strawberry, cranberry. Balsamic. Coconut, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, cedar -- American oak very dominant when first opened, but becomes more balanced with air. Starting to develop notes of tobacco and leather, but still seems quite young. Conclusions: good to very good. Delicious and drinkable, but maybe lacks some of the length and complexity one might hope for in a Riserva? Can drink now, but likely suitable for further ageing. Seal: natural cork
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Medium red color. Oaky,smoky, and dark fruit aromatics. Soft fruit entry. Medium-bodied elegant fresh forward style. Modest finish. Ready to drink now, though should hold a couple of years. Good “ restaurant” Rioja.
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4/7/2024 - Westcoastred Likes this wine: 89 Points
Deep ruby on the pour. Blackberry, black cherry, maybe some dill and tobacco leaf on the nose. Hefty legs. Powdery tannins which became more pronounced as time went on. Medium acidity. Tart. Earthy. Dry and bold. Medium bodied. Leather, black cherry, black pepper, vanilla on the palate. Lots of personality. One-plus hour decant.
The always dependable Marqués de Riscal strikes again. Thumbs up!
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2/8/2024 - astifors Likes this wine: 91 Points
On the nose a fresh fruit, quite light and mild oak. Balance with a slight dry touch when PnP. A Tempranillo typical bouquet and with some air the body is there.
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1/13/2024 - Larsekro Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fyldig, meget god, moden, petroleum.
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1/13/2024 - Larsekro Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fyldig og meget god med petroleumshint.
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12/25/2023 - mjgkng Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deserving of the 93 rating it received from James Suckling. Very impressive.
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12/10/2023 - Chill51 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fresh floral and warming nose. First sip has red berries, bramble, and earth. The tannins have just enough grip to be noticed and appreciated. Slightly bright with barrel wood, mild tobacco, and fine leather in the middle. Smooth and medium finish at the end. Just enough complexity to be enjoyed with a fine meal, and at a tremendous value. Decanted for 1.5 hours and served with lamb and olive stew.
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11/8/2023 - DrDave88 Likes this wine:
Very well put together classically styled Rioja reserva. Quite oaky and vanilla nose on first opening but this mellowed to leave menthol and herb seasoned dusty red and berry fruits, cherry cola notes. Nice acidity to lift the palate and smoooooth tannins. Picked up in Majestic mystery case at £5 per bottle equivalent, an absolute steal at that price, not sure I would rebuy at the market price. Although I couldn't technically fault it, there are more interesting wines out there
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9/9/2023 - Qbox35 wrote: 71 Points
Light nose
Soft taste, subtle hints of earthy herbs, complements a heavily flavored meal.
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8/30/2023 - Strads Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice wine for the price.
It opens up quite a bit after getting some air in the glass.
I get notes of cherry, plum and red berries. Alcohol level is high but balanced with the tannins.
I am going to buy a few more to try out.
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8/15/2023 - thesternowl wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent both days. The 2017 Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” pours a deep ruby with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with dark cherries, ripe bruised strawberries, baked apple, hibiscus, toasted coconut, vanilla, new leather and some baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Medium+ alcohol. A lovely pairing with my sort of modern riff on paella for a quick Tuesday evening meal. More please!
Having enjoyed vintages going back to the early 1980’s, I think Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” is one of the last few, true bargains in the wine world. They are classic in the sense that they are unmistakably Rioja and they have the ability to age for decades. It’s very hard for me to think of another wine that is widely available for under $30 that can drink this well and cellar that long. Let’s enjoy the disparity while we can!
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7/29/2023 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Good+. I've gone through about a case so far, maybe a bit more, as my local Costco offered (is now on the '18 vintage) for just $17 - a dollar more than the 2001 I bought by the case in the mid 2000s, which is crazy. Sure, this is a daily drinker, but much like the '01, this is a wine that can go a decade, or more, along a positive trajectory. Medium-bodied, solid sense of place/soil, grape and honestly captures the vintage's characteristics. It's not fair to ask any more of it. Easily recommended, 14,5% abv.
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7/22/2023 - DJSeiler wrote: 88 Points
Dark cherry color with subtle aromas of black licorice at first pour. Flavors of sour raspberry, oak and a hint of tobacco. Medium body, high acidity, and sharp tannins. Almost too much alcohol bite for my palate. Good wine for the price. Update… more black cherry flavors and more balance after 2 hours. Still - good wine for the $20
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5/3/2023 - Rhuby Likes this wine: 89 Points
This is reliable year after year. Deep red-purple with weighty body. The bright acidity balances the wine, and it skirts having too much alcoholic heat. There are some red fruits in ample quantity, but it’s the distinctive perfume that makes it consistent.
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4/2/2023 - mjgkng Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big and bold but not overwhelming. Good example of Spanish Rioja. Lots of fruit.
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4/1/2023 - macaujames Likes this wine: 90 Points
89/90. In a local restaurant so no decant time.PnP. Has subdued aromas of flowers, blueberries, vanilla hints, cherries. Its solid medium bodied decently oaked blue and red fruits palate has very good depth, nice freshness and mediumish, zingy a bit unknit length. 14%. Would have needed a couple of hours aeration to broaden out. Drink in 2-5 years. This was great with Albondigas and Chorizo and lovely with Manchego.
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3/19/2023 - fredfta wrote: 92 Points
Wip
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3/12/2023 - McTaser Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really deep flavours
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3/8/2023 - Baron Slick wrote: 92 Points
Lovely aromatics. Dark fruit, black cherries, violets, oak spice, leather, and herbs. The palate is bright, succulent, and smoothly textured, with plenty of fine structure and nice length. This is very refined all around.
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2/25/2023 - jtsejersen@gmail.com wrote: 85 Points
I like this wine. Beautiful fruit with both red and blue berries. The oak is well integrated and gives the wine pleasant “finish”. Not a complex wine but certainly a well-made Rioja with emphasis on the fruity notes. A drinkable wine and fairly good value for money…
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2/1/2023 - Eddy Louis Likes this wine: 93 Points
Certainly the best Rioja at this price point of 20 euro that I have been drinking in my wine career ! Tempranillo dominated blend. Extremely well structured and balanced. So smooth drinking that the bottle is empty before you know it !
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1/17/2023 - giacomofregoli Likes this wine: 88 Points
Can't beat the consistency and quality for price. Nice expression of tempranillo with some sweet vanilla oak on the nose.
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1/16/2023 - oldwines wrote: 87 Points
Heavily oaked Tempranillo…if anyone follows me, they will know that I am biased against the grape. Heavy new oak treatment is the only way to add complexity to Tempranillo IMO. Otherwise it is just a one dimensional wine. Not flawed or poorly made but also not a wine I like to drink. This has big tannins both from the grape and the barrel (tastes like new American oak but I don’t know that for sure) does have a core of black cherry and black raspberry fruit. Not much else. Most of this bottle used for braising short ribs.
P.S. From other notes it seems this spent 24 months in New American oak. This pretty well explains the wine. Overdone for me.
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12/31/2022 - wplanas wrote:
Suave al paladar luego de airarse
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12/22/2022 - PaulWilson00 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Spicy
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12/18/2022 - Casablanca77 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is medium to full bodied with medium high acidity and smooth tannins. The aromas are of raspberry, black cherry with some pepper. The flavors are of blackberry, plum with some vanilla oak. Well done from one of the oldest wineries in Rioja.
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12/11/2022 - fhayek wrote: 88 Points
Subdued scent.
In taste, clean, focussed and even a bit of class, at the same time a bit closed/austere.
Surprisingly serious, but imho not a crowd pleaser (no alcohol sweetness - feels bone dry - and no overextraction).
Should be great with food.
Cost me ~16 EUR (German supermarket) which is OK, although there are better QPR in the Spanish space.
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12/5/2022 - dssmith wrote: 85 Points
A basic, easy to drink wine that I keep in the house. It "punches" well above its price point. The color is dark red. There is minimal bouquet. There is a nice balance of fruit and tannin. I have served many bottles of this wine and have never been disappointed.
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12/4/2022 - melvinyeowq wrote: 89 Points
Bachelor's night for YS: Darker red fruit with more earthy notes and tannins than the Bosconia, definitely a sturdier wine.
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12/3/2022 - Andydarko wrote: 88 Points
Had a fruity nose. Tart and bitter at first but mellowed as it sat. Towards the end with food started to enjoy it more. Was sweet on the tongue but astringent as with longer tastes.
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12/2/2022 - RKcellar Likes this wine: 88 Points
Smells of fresh raspberry, stewed red fruit and vanilla. Medium, well-integrated tannins that did not need much air to mellow out. Alcohol was showing a teeny bit. but I think you're doing quite well if you're getting this less than $20
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10/16/2022 - fredfta wrote: 92 Points
Probando añada de este siempre certero Rioja, elaborado con Tempranillo y algo de Graciano. Crianza de 24 meses en barrica de roble americano. Alc. 14% vol. En copa, quizás un perfil más moderno que añadas anteriores, con la inconfundible presencia de notas de crianza como la vainilla y el cedro, pero con frutas más destacadas, frescas y maduras, rojas y negras. Un vino con cuerpo y estructura, aunque muy redondo, para ser disfrutado ahora o guardado durante un par de años.
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8/31/2022 - stiane Likes this wine: 73 Points
little bit sweety, earthy, blackberry flavour
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8/5/2022 - Ozric Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nose: Round dark fruit, cherry. Some earthiness, wood.
Palate: Nicely integrated acid, light fruit and vanilla. Elegant.
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7/25/2022 - apple1813 Likes this wine: 91 Points
2017 Marque de Riscal Rioja Reserva was elegant, expressive and savoury. The developing Rioja Alavesa was clear and medium ruby in colour without any noticeable sediments. Aromas of bramble and black cherry were accompanied by American oak artefact of butterscotch and liquorice. Underneath were complexities of dust, tilted soil and dried mushroom.
The mouthfeel was dry and medium-bodied with a medium level of powdery tannin. It was contrasted by a high level of fresh acidity. There were flavours of raspberry, vanilla, tobacco and anise spice in a medium, earthy finish. The 14.2% alcohol was well-concealed in its fresh acidity and elegant texture. The empty bottle weighed 475 grams.
The blend is composed of 96% Tempranillo and 4% Graciano. The vines are cultivated on clay and limestone soil in the cool, high-altitude climate of Rioja Alavesa. The wine is raised in American oak barrels for two years, and further rests in bottle for another year, prior to commercial release.
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7/2/2022 - seeyouintee Likes this wine: 86 Points
Nose has dark fruit. Balsamic, pipe smoke, and black pepper make up the palate. Medium acidity. Nice oak backbone. Easy drinking and good QPR.
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6/8/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Smells like classic RIoja. dusty fruit and nuts.
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5/29/2022 - Weinkoenigen Likes this wine: 88 Points
very good value, always pleased, full body
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5/3/2022 - tanguero8 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had had this before but never enjoyed it as much as this time! Worth seeking out for more.
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5/2/2022 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 90 Points
Winery tasting. 2017 Marques de Riscal Reserva. $25. 24 months in American oak, then one year in bottle before release. 14.2% alcohol. Mid dark garnet; viscous; red fruit, sweet wood, berry nose; mid acids mid tannins semi long woody, red fruit finish. 16 UC Davis scale, 90 other scales.
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4/19/2022 - penguinoid Likes this wine:
Colour: medium ruby
Nose: medium(+) intensity, tertiary, secondary, clean. Red and black plum, strawberry, cranberry. Balsamic. Coconut, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, cedar -- American oak very dominant when first opened, but becomes more balanced with air. Starting to develop notes of tobacco and leather, but still seems quite young.
Palate: dry, medium(+) acidity, medium(+) tannins, medium alcohol (14%), medium(+) bodied. Medium length finish, medium intensity. Red and black plum, strawberry, cranberry. Balsamic. Coconut, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, cedar -- American oak very dominant when first opened, but becomes more balanced with air. Starting to develop notes of tobacco and leather, but still seems quite young.
Conclusions: good to very good. Delicious and drinkable, but maybe lacks some of the length and complexity one might hope for in a Riserva? Can drink now, but likely suitable for further ageing.
Seal: natural cork
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3/30/2022 - JM_MadTown Likes this wine: 86 Points
The wine has nice dark red fruit, very open with a modest finish to it. Not bad for $15.
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2/16/2022 - VinhoVerde Likes this wine: 86 Points
Medium red color. Oaky,smoky, and dark fruit aromatics. Soft fruit entry. Medium-bodied elegant fresh forward style. Modest finish. Ready to drink now, though should hold a couple of years. Good “ restaurant” Rioja.
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12/26/2021 - maxima wrote: 85 Points
Trop boisé et extrait.
On passe.
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12/11/2021 - EricStengard Likes this wine: 84 Points
Yes! L enjoyed. Bit spicy, not to acidic.
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10/30/2020 - CocoChanel Likes this wine: 89 Points
decent. Fairly heavy, not totally balanced.
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