When first opened it had a nice nose but the the TCA contaminant occurred making the wine unpleasant. These Spanish wine usually are made to last a long time. Suspect that some of the law ratings are related to TCA rather than the wine being "past."
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Popped and poured, seductive fully open nose filled with cedar and ink, to me this resembles a St Julien from a good vintage, the palate follows the nose but the cedar notes are not quite as prominent and attractive as on the nose but good anyway, this is ready to drink from the get go, with time in the glass fruit diminishes a tad and the wine develops noble wood flavours and gobs of tasty glycerin, after about two hours the fruity elements start to give in and it seems obvious that this wine should be consumed within the next few years. No monolithic characteristics at all so in all probability at this age a modern Rioja at this price point is starting to be in graceful decline. No need to decant and quite enjoyable now.
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This wine was right on the money tonight. Dusty tannins alongside a bucket of bright dark fruit, leather and cocoa. Was there ever a better pairing than lamb chops and Rioja? It always works, and this bottle disappeared quickly. Drink.
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This is one of my favorites from Rioja. Enjoyed with Shitake & chèvre risotto and a New York strip. Upon initial opening, the wine smells beautiful, with lots of black fruit and tar rolling out of the glass. Notes of cedar, creosote, leather and musk are integrated with soft tannins and ample fruits that make this wine a nearly perfect example of a beautifully matured Rioja.
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Still amazingly fresh. Tannins are far from resolved, and there is a bit of funk, but only enough to add interest. Overall, a wine of character and complexity, excellent fragrancy and depth. Classy juice, and lots of life left.
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Decided not to decant this time as it opened quickly in the glass. Still very much alive. Great balance. Ash, graphite, licorice over dark cherry. Nice acidity and tannic presence. Some depth. Great match for grilled Iberico pork.
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Very dark with abundant berry, flower, lavender, and licorice bouquet. Vibrant acid, moderate oak, and a brooding demeanor make me think this might have more to offer in the future but really enjoyable now.
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Powerful wine, still has quite a tannic kick. This bottle showed remarkably youthful, with excellent depth, though a slight bitter edge, and maybe not even at peak yet.
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Oops. Waited a little too long as for me this is on the decline compared to the bottle in 2006. Decanted 60 minutes. Nose is still deep, complex and charming. On the palate the fruit, which I felt predominated in '06, seemed more subdued and somehow 'unlifted' this time. The lesser fruit seems to have brought the 'resolved' tannins more to the fore this time. Still complex and very interesting, but not 'spirit-lifting' as I had noted before. Very nice with filets and enjoyed by all.
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Drinking really well for bring 14 years young. Still lots of unresolved tannins. Plums, horsehair, cassis and cigar box on the nose. Rich and creamy in the mouth. Really delish.
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This was attention-grabbing from the first moment (well, after a 2 hour decant). Evocative nose of dark cherry/leather/tobacco/earth/mocha/asian spice. Fruit predominated on the palate which was satifisfying and with more weight and lushness than the '95. Decent acidity that coupled well with very smooth/round/fully-resolved tannins. The finish was long and quite complex with a nice band of minerals. Overall, a spirit-elevating wine. I vaguely remember having one of these a few years ago, before CT that was pretty closed for business. I now greatly look forward to my remaining two bottles (which are ready).
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2/18/2021 - Vascular46 wrote: flawed
When first opened it had a nice nose but the the TCA contaminant occurred making the wine unpleasant. These Spanish wine usually are made to last a long time. Suspect that some of the law ratings are related to TCA rather than the wine being "past."
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3/16/2019 - Lype Likes this wine:
Popped and poured, seductive fully open nose filled with cedar and ink, to me this resembles a St Julien from a good vintage, the palate follows the nose but the cedar notes are not quite as prominent and attractive as on the nose but good anyway, this is ready to drink from the get go, with time in the glass fruit diminishes a tad and the wine develops noble wood flavours and gobs of tasty glycerin, after about two hours the fruity elements start to give in and it seems obvious that this wine should be consumed within the next few years. No monolithic characteristics at all so in all probability at this age a modern Rioja at this price point is starting to be in graceful decline. No need to decant and quite enjoyable now.
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4/28/2016 - robmatic wrote: 92 Points
This wine was right on the money tonight. Dusty tannins alongside a bucket of bright dark fruit, leather and cocoa. Was there ever a better pairing than lamb chops and Rioja? It always works, and this bottle disappeared quickly. Drink.
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3/30/2016 - Kmok wrote: 77 Points
More dried leaves comparing to 96 and 97, from a weaker vintage but smooth and matured.
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3/1/2014 - never oenough wrote: 94 Points
This is one of my favorites from Rioja. Enjoyed with Shitake & chèvre risotto and a New York strip. Upon initial opening, the wine smells beautiful, with lots of black fruit and tar rolling out of the glass. Notes of cedar, creosote, leather and musk are integrated with soft tannins and ample fruits that make this wine a nearly perfect example of a beautifully matured Rioja.
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9/27/2013 - robmatic wrote: 92 Points
Still amazingly fresh. Tannins are far from resolved, and there is a bit of funk, but only enough to add interest. Overall, a wine of character and complexity, excellent fragrancy and depth. Classy juice, and lots of life left.
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9/23/2013 - thomaskeil wrote: 91 Points
Decided not to decant this time as it opened quickly in the glass. Still very much alive. Great balance. Ash, graphite, licorice over dark cherry. Nice acidity and tannic presence. Some depth. Great match for grilled Iberico pork.
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10/25/2012 - andtheodor wrote: 92 Points
Very dark with abundant berry, flower, lavender, and licorice bouquet. Vibrant acid, moderate oak, and a brooding demeanor make me think this might have more to offer in the future but really enjoyable now.
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10/23/2012 - robmatic wrote: 92 Points
Powerful wine, still has quite a tannic kick. This bottle showed remarkably youthful, with excellent depth, though a slight bitter edge, and maybe not even at peak yet.
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3/24/2012 - thomaskeil wrote: 91 Points
Oops. Waited a little too long as for me this is on the decline compared to the bottle in 2006. Decanted 60 minutes. Nose is still deep, complex and charming. On the palate the fruit, which I felt predominated in '06, seemed more subdued and somehow 'unlifted' this time. The lesser fruit seems to have brought the 'resolved' tannins more to the fore this time. Still complex and very interesting, but not 'spirit-lifting' as I had noted before. Very nice with filets and enjoyed by all.
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9/17/2010 - taipanli wrote: flawed
Corked
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4/1/2009 - robmatic wrote:
Showed tannic, tough and charmless. Wait? At least decant for a while next time.
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11/30/2008 - Johann Von Mastiff wrote: 92 Points
Drinking really well for bring 14 years young. Still lots of unresolved tannins. Plums, horsehair, cassis and cigar box on the nose. Rich and creamy in the mouth. Really delish.
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12/25/2006 - thomaskeil wrote: 93 Points
This was attention-grabbing from the first moment (well, after a 2 hour decant). Evocative nose of dark cherry/leather/tobacco/earth/mocha/asian spice. Fruit predominated on the palate which was satifisfying and with more weight and lushness than the '95. Decent acidity that coupled well with very smooth/round/fully-resolved tannins. The finish was long and quite complex with a nice band of minerals. Overall, a spirit-elevating wine. I vaguely remember having one of these a few years ago, before CT that was pretty closed for business. I now greatly look forward to my remaining two bottles (which are ready).
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