Savory, vegetal aromas, with a hint of oxidation maybe. Didn't seem to be a lot of fruit on nose of palate. Acidity is marked. Drinkable, but either a disappointing bottle or on its downward slope.
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Acidity is much more marked than I remember on prior bottles. Fruit is very savory and meaty, and perhaps somewhat stewed. Needs a darn good swirl to break out of its bottle fatigue. Nonetheless, not too bad for a good value Rioja some 10 years into it's life. Recommend drinking up soon.
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Simple juicy and fairly fruity wine. Nose a little closed, needed a vigorous swirl or some time to play ball. Palate has a lot of acidity, and the fruit is forefront. Tannin unobtrusive. Not sure it has the depth to its structure to go much more distance. But drinks well now. Not bad for a relatively inexpensive 9 year old wine.
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Exceeded my modest expectations, and drinking very well now. Served to summer party guests without complaint. Fairly modern, plenty of fruit and very smooth tannin. Lacks complexity or finish, but well balanced. Fairly low acidity, drinks well on its own with slight mint and cassis flavours. No real aroma.
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A different experience with a seafood paella. Almost perfectly balanced. Light, just enough acidity. Lively fruit. Nose still subdued but I really don't recognise this one as being the same wine as the last.
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A bit disjointed. lightish red in the glass with a hint of browning. On the nose, more bosky than fruity and rather reminiscent of burgundy. In the mouth, sweet fruit and a bit of gaminess and wood; then quite a hit of acidity which kept things lively but didn't knit so well with the tannins and fruit. Short-med finish.
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Clear deep burgundy red. Beautiful menthol dark fruit nose. Smooth menthol mixed fit, short/medium length. Slightly unbalanced tannins and alcohol. Overall very good.
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7/17/2020 - empire80 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Plummy fruit, a little bit of heat on the finish.
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11/11/2018 - JFWood Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking beautifully. Deep plummy fruit on the nose and in the mouth. A nice warm and full aftertaste.
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3/26/2015 - moods wrote: 83 Points
Savory, vegetal aromas, with a hint of oxidation maybe. Didn't seem to be a lot of fruit on nose of palate. Acidity is marked. Drinkable, but either a disappointing bottle or on its downward slope.
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10/12/2014 - moods wrote: 87 Points
Acidity is much more marked than I remember on prior bottles. Fruit is very savory and meaty, and perhaps somewhat stewed. Needs a darn good swirl to break out of its bottle fatigue. Nonetheless, not too bad for a good value Rioja some 10 years into it's life. Recommend drinking up soon.
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12/23/2013 - moods wrote: 86 Points
Juicy berry fruit. Fair amount of acidity, zippy and lively. Supple tannin. Maybe just a little oomph missing in the mid palate.
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11/27/2013 - moods wrote: 87 Points
Simple juicy and fairly fruity wine. Nose a little closed, needed a vigorous swirl or some time to play ball. Palate has a lot of acidity, and the fruit is forefront. Tannin unobtrusive. Not sure it has the depth to its structure to go much more distance. But drinks well now. Not bad for a relatively inexpensive 9 year old wine.
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8/3/2013 - JulianSkeels wrote: 86 Points
Exceeded my modest expectations, and drinking very well now. Served to summer party guests without complaint. Fairly modern, plenty of fruit and very smooth tannin. Lacks complexity or finish, but well balanced. Fairly low acidity, drinks well on its own with slight mint and cassis flavours. No real aroma.
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7/1/2012 - nsellen wrote: 89 Points
A different experience with a seafood paella. Almost perfectly balanced. Light, just enough acidity. Lively fruit. Nose still subdued but I really don't recognise this one as being the same wine as the last.
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5/25/2012 - Alexroy wrote: 88 Points
Fantastic Rioja nose, vanilla, menthol, cherries. Smooth, toasty, good length, red and dark fruits, minty. Nice.
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2/20/2012 - nsellen wrote: 87 Points
A bit disjointed. lightish red in the glass with a hint of browning. On the nose, more bosky than fruity and rather reminiscent of burgundy. In the mouth, sweet fruit and a bit of gaminess and wood; then quite a hit of acidity which kept things lively but didn't knit so well with the tannins and fruit. Short-med finish.
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12/24/2011 - moods wrote: flawed
2nd bottle from case; 2nd bottled corked.
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9/2/2010 - moods wrote: flawed
Didn't get any of the characteristics that others have noted; yet there wasn't any concrete evidence of cork taint or other faults.
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8/27/2010 - Alexroy wrote: 86 Points
Clear deep burgundy red. Beautiful menthol dark fruit nose. Smooth menthol mixed fit, short/medium length. Slightly unbalanced tannins and alcohol. Overall very good.
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8/23/2010 - rwf wrote: 84 Points
Very closed. Good balance of acidity, tannin and body, but struggled to get much out of it.
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3/26/2010 - rwf wrote: 90 Points
Fresh and enticing nose of berries and a touch of spice. Medium light body, fresh acidity and berry fruit, with a mineral finish.
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2/18/2010 - riesling4lunch wrote: 85 Points
Very serious, clean palate, very fresh, more to come from the other 5 with time I reckon.
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1/28/2010 - rwf wrote: 85 Points
Fairly closed nose, sour fruit, clove. Medium-high acidity, chewy tannin, flavour of mulberry, wood, hint of violets.
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1/20/2010 - rwf wrote: 87 Points
Aroma of damsons and spice. Soft tannins, medium-high acididty. Seems quite closed, muted fruit flavours, hint of graphite.
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2/13/2008 - Nickel wrote:
Very aromatic. Crushed berries, chocolate (oak). Full-texture on the palate. Silky. Modern.
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8/27/2007 - arijus wrote:
Return to terroir - Biodynamic tasting event (Oslo): Very nice with typical Rioja character from old vines. Quite strong tannins. Very good!
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