PnP and aerated into the glass. Wouldn't have guessed this was a rioja if tasting blind. Cherry, clean acid, smooth tannins, bit of zing at the end. Except for the zing it tasted like full bodied california pinot. Quite enjoyable, very drinkable. For an inexpensive wine it aged very well. On the other hand if I had opened wanting a prototypical rioja, I'd be disappointed.
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Russk. 2hr decant. Before that it seeked to tart. After is was so enjoyable. Nose of leather, dill and mature oak. Mouth deftly balanced between tannin, acid, sweet oak. Could not stop drinking. Reminds me of a cross btwn the Rioja Alta 2005 Alberdi and the 2004 Ardanza. Buy more.
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In the bouquet faint red fruits, dried figs and some tobacco. On the palate light to medium bodied with a firm dose of acidity and soft tannin. Ok wine, but nothing really special. Mature now.
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Black and opaque but some shade means no signs of maturity / age of the wine. Great nose smells deep, ripe cherries, strawberries plum. Deep and complex nose. As the wine opens clearing barrel and smells of sweetness. 20 min first taste of black plum accompanied Afteir Taste sweet but leaves a pleasant bitterness and flavors of more. still good! 89-90
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Nice example of old school Rioja. Entering maturity showing dried flowers, baked cherry, cigar, tobacco with slight bit of rusticity. Dusty tannins, medium body with medium acidity.
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A nice example of an old-school Rioja, with some moderate hints of maturity setting in. Dried leaves, earth, dusty cherry, leather and hints of dill. There is some wood evidence here, but old wood... lovely antique wood. Almost Pinot Noir in texture. Silky tannins. This could be a repeat purchase.
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Bright, medium deep ruby color with moderate translucency. Classic sunny Rioja nose of sun-baked earth, sweet figs, some sweaty saddle leather, ripe dark cherry fruit and hints of sweet strawberry with an elegant overtone of American oak aromas of vanilla and dill. Dry, somewhat robust and quite full-bodied palate with pronounced spice, leather, roasted and a bit bitter spices, some vanilla, a little cedar and fruity nuances of cherry and figs. High in acidity with moderately pronounced, grippy and grainy tannins. Lots of depth and vibrancy. Long, leathery and a bit warm finish with flavors of spicy oak, ripe dark plums, some herbal bitterness and hints of dark cherry with moderately astringent tannins and intense acid brightness that gives a lot of length to the aftertaste.
A really balanced, classic and tasty Rioja red with quite obvious American oak character that suits the whole surprisingly well. The wine has a lot of grip and intensity, yet it never feels overdone or overextracted; on the contrary, the wine seems surprisingly light and sophisticated for a wine this ripe and heavy on oak aromatics. Great stuff that is drinking nicely right now, but probably will develop - or at least keep - for another decade. A good purchase at 17,48€. Recommended.
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Ripe fruit nose with figs and cherries. Dill, greasy meat and leather. Medium bodied and supple but pleasently dry palate. Mid-intense ripe fruit, a touch of tannins and dusty wood. Mid-length. Classic Rioja. Perfectly nice.
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This may well be the last bottle of Faustino I purchase as it's yet another Brett-infected disaster. This formidible taint produced a slew of 4-EG phenols causing the wine to reek and offend like a nasty old tin of band-aids. And did I mention how it slides queasily into your gullet on a slick, oily, totally gross, diacetyl-like texture? Yeah, that too. Just fucking nasty.
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Nose similar to VII, in this case the wine itself (besides the oak-influence) has some real substance. Actually pretty nice, smooth (though not exactly "fine"), decent juiciness. Unfortunately some unpleasant brett, as well.
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- Crimsom color with medium forming legs with a medium body. Round texture with a medium finish - Drank from magnum without decanting. Easy drinking Tempranillo without pushing the boat out, but there are better examples out there. Cherries and oak on the nose, with trademark dusty, earthy Rioja feel in the mouth. Pleasant enough wine, but not one that I'd race out and buy again.
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OK – clear mid ruby appearance; red and black fruits on nose – some smokiness; off-dry; mid acidity; mid tannins; mid/full body; mid/long finish; oakiness; smoky flavour; red fruit at first giving way to dark fruit on finish; woodiness. Popped and poured.
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Not my style at all. I've had other Tempranillos that I though were much much better, some American too. This actually had a very nice nose, which saved it for me, but on the palate there was almost nothing but a strong, dank woody (hesitate to call it oak) flavor. Definitely would not buy again.
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D'une richesse exemplaire, son nez mûr et complexe séduit. Matière et souplesse, texture veloutée, voici un excellent pinard aux accents traditionnels. Déjà à point, il continuera d'évoluer favorablement durant quelques années (de 3 à 5 ans). Un rioja classique bien nourri. Pour un mariage harmonique réussi, servez-le avec la côte de veau aux champignons shiitake et sauce tamari.
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Lively deep garnet to the eye. Lean and firm in the mouth with a long aromatic finish. Sharp acidity, supple sweetness and smooth tannins. Cherries are dominant, undertones of black pepper and vanilla with hints of smoke and coffee. Provides a powerful and complex experience. Overall a distinguished product and an authentic representation. Good value.
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Decent Rioja. I didn't find anything wrong with this wine nor did I find anything to get excited about. If you look around a bit it's not hard to find better value from Rioja.
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4/22/2018 - millesime66 wrote: 85 Points
Bon, mais trop cher pour ce qu'il nous offre.
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8/9/2016 - archambault wrote: 75 Points
Bouchonner
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8/3/2016 - nickgorski Likes this wine:
PnP and aerated into the glass. Wouldn't have guessed this was a rioja if tasting blind. Cherry, clean acid, smooth tannins, bit of zing at the end. Except for the zing it tasted like full bodied california pinot. Quite enjoyable, very drinkable. For an inexpensive wine it aged very well. On the other hand if I had opened wanting a prototypical rioja, I'd be disappointed.
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11/22/2014 - donvirgo Likes this wine: 75 Points
I held onto this bottle for about two years and it took a really long time to air. Make sure to air it
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7/31/2014 - JanFrom wrote: 90 Points
A bargain at 50DKK!!!
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7/19/2014 - jayrod wrote: 90 Points
Seems to have improved with a little more time. Served with a garlic stuffed pork roast and a mustard rosemary sauce. Wonderful match.
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6/16/2014 - Whitelion Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nicely matured classic Rioja... a mouth full of good wine!
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3/16/2014 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk 91. on the decline on day 2.
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2/25/2014 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. 91 on day one. 91- on day two. Still a pleasure to drink. Noticed more savory tomato notes this time.
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1/19/2014 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. 2hr decant. Before that it seeked to tart. After is was so enjoyable. Nose of leather, dill and mature oak. Mouth deftly balanced between tannin, acid, sweet oak. Could not stop drinking. Reminds me of a cross btwn the Rioja Alta 2005 Alberdi and the 2004 Ardanza. Buy more.
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11/23/2013 - jayrod wrote: 86 Points
Give it time, only thing that can help. Not very impressive but OK.
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11/9/2013 - Zweder wrote: 85 Points
In the bouquet faint red fruits, dried figs and some tobacco. On the palate light to medium bodied with a firm dose of acidity and soft tannin. Ok wine, but nothing really special. Mature now.
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9/27/2013 - OferOr wrote: 89 Points
Black and opaque but some shade means no signs of maturity / age of the wine.
Great nose smells deep, ripe cherries, strawberries plum. Deep and complex nose.
As the wine opens clearing barrel and smells of sweetness.
20 min first taste of black plum accompanied Afteir Taste sweet but leaves a pleasant bitterness and flavors of more. still good! 89-90
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6/24/2013 - mattyboy_ Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice example of old school Rioja. Entering maturity showing dried flowers, baked cherry, cigar, tobacco with slight bit of rusticity. Dusty tannins, medium body with medium acidity.
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2/19/2013 - mattyboy_ Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rioja tasting with Maria Stevens for Bodegas Faustino (Esquin Wine, Seattle): Still quite youthful. Licorice, black cherry, mint, leather, pepper. Quite tannic but softens up after several minutes.
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11/7/2012 - mdefreitas wrote: 89 Points
A nice example of an old-school Rioja, with some moderate hints of maturity setting in. Dried leaves, earth, dusty cherry, leather and hints of dill. There is some wood evidence here, but old wood... lovely antique wood. Almost Pinot Noir in texture. Silky tannins. This could be a repeat purchase.
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11/1/2012 - TODAMAGE wrote: 85 Points
Initial mild tannins, but no follow-on bite. Smooth fruity flavours. Blood red colour.
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10/31/2012 - forceberry wrote: 90 Points
Bright, medium deep ruby color with moderate translucency. Classic sunny Rioja nose of sun-baked earth, sweet figs, some sweaty saddle leather, ripe dark cherry fruit and hints of sweet strawberry with an elegant overtone of American oak aromas of vanilla and dill. Dry, somewhat robust and quite full-bodied palate with pronounced spice, leather, roasted and a bit bitter spices, some vanilla, a little cedar and fruity nuances of cherry and figs. High in acidity with moderately pronounced, grippy and grainy tannins. Lots of depth and vibrancy. Long, leathery and a bit warm finish with flavors of spicy oak, ripe dark plums, some herbal bitterness and hints of dark cherry with moderately astringent tannins and intense acid brightness that gives a lot of length to the aftertaste.
A really balanced, classic and tasty Rioja red with quite obvious American oak character that suits the whole surprisingly well. The wine has a lot of grip and intensity, yet it never feels overdone or overextracted; on the contrary, the wine seems surprisingly light and sophisticated for a wine this ripe and heavy on oak aromatics. Great stuff that is drinking nicely right now, but probably will develop - or at least keep - for another decade. A good purchase at 17,48€. Recommended.
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10/29/2012 - avp wrote:
Ripe fruit nose with figs and cherries. Dill, greasy meat and leather.
Medium bodied and supple but pleasently dry palate. Mid-intense ripe fruit, a touch of tannins and dusty wood. Mid-length.
Classic Rioja. Perfectly nice.
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10/23/2012 - Riccardo Malocchio wrote: flawed
This may well be the last bottle of Faustino I purchase as it's yet another Brett-infected disaster. This formidible taint produced a slew of 4-EG phenols causing the wine to reek and offend like a nasty old tin of band-aids. And did I mention how it slides queasily into your gullet on a slick, oily, totally gross, diacetyl-like texture? Yeah, that too. Just fucking nasty.
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9/28/2012 - Engelund wrote: 87 Points
Spansk Vinfestival 2012 (Pressen CPH): Denne er faktisk bedre en I. Virker mere frisk og rund i det.
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9/11/2012 - yofog wrote: 87 Points
Nose similar to VII, in this case the wine itself (besides the oak-influence) has some real substance. Actually pretty nice, smooth (though not exactly "fine"), decent juiciness. Unfortunately some unpleasant brett, as well.
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8/2/2012 - YYCwino wrote: 87 Points
Nice wine, classic Rioja. Lots of leather and spice and a little oak. Good value.
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6/12/2012 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Earthy, figgy, all the ingredients for great Rioja. Pencil lead and minerals. Concentrated, full bore right now. Need time, but that is my opinion.
2 years in american oak and 2 years in the bottle.
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5/27/2012 - Cooky474 wrote: 85 Points
- Crimsom color with medium forming legs with a medium body. Round texture with a medium finish - Drank from magnum without decanting. Easy drinking Tempranillo without pushing the boat out, but there are better examples out there. Cherries and oak on the nose, with trademark dusty, earthy Rioja feel in the mouth. Pleasant enough wine, but not one that I'd race out and buy again.
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4/30/2012 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
RussK. Rioja Event at Hotel Intercontinental. Circled. Good value. Buy some. Good for GC. 91+
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4/1/2012 - HStaal wrote: 85 Points
OK – clear mid ruby appearance; red and black fruits on nose – some smokiness; off-dry; mid acidity; mid tannins; mid/full body; mid/long finish; oakiness; smoky flavour; red fruit at first giving way to dark fruit on finish; woodiness. Popped and poured.
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3/20/2012 - jeremyzolk wrote: 83 Points
Not my style at all. I've had other Tempranillos that I though were much much better, some American too. This actually had a very nice nose, which saved it for me, but on the palate there was almost nothing but a strong, dank woody (hesitate to call it oak) flavor.
Definitely would not buy again.
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2/17/2012 - philhamelin wrote:
D'une richesse exemplaire, son nez mûr et complexe séduit. Matière et souplesse, texture veloutée, voici un excellent pinard aux accents traditionnels. Déjà à point, il continuera d'évoluer favorablement durant quelques années (de 3 à 5 ans). Un rioja classique bien nourri. Pour un mariage harmonique réussi, servez-le avec la côte de veau aux champignons shiitake et sauce tamari.
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1/1/2012 - westcoast foodie wrote: 91 Points
Lively deep garnet to the eye. Lean and firm in the mouth with a long aromatic finish. Sharp acidity, supple sweetness and smooth tannins. Cherries are dominant, undertones of black pepper and vanilla with hints of smoke and coffee. Provides a powerful and complex experience. Overall a distinguished product and an authentic representation. Good value.
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7/31/2011 - mduque wrote: 86 Points
Decent Rioja. I didn't find anything wrong with this wine nor did I find anything to get excited about. If you look around a bit it's not hard to find better value from Rioja.
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