Virtually unchanged since 2011 stored at 55F - agree with Simong’s take - not unenjoyable just youthful and shy still yet - maybe a wine for the grandchildren - if/when they come along
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Deep mid ruby. Richly red fruited with a dense but finely velvety texture. Bright with good acidity. Tannins nicely resolved. If you like them young, this is ready to go, and certainly enjoyable, but it’s still fruit led without any flavour development; texturally it’s pretty much there. Structure is based on fruit and acidity and should see it through the next couple of decades nicely. First sighter, so with two cases minus this bottle, one every year to eighteen months should chart its evolution smoothly. **** 91, with upside.
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Decanted at ten, drunk at noon and again from 6 PM. Zalto universal and burgundy glasses. After eight hours from burgundy glass: Rather dark, even blackish colour. Fine dark-toned Rioja with dark fruits, smoke, toast, read earth. The American oak is very much integrated. Much closer in its aromatic profile to Rioja Alta's 904 than expected. In the mouth it shows feinster Schliff, as the Germans say, and still very high acidity but it is not ethereal (yet) or leathery as the bottles of the 1970s were already in the 1980s. Less sweet than expected. Will still be good in twenty years, I guess.
After 30 hours in the decanter it has developed a minor note of volatile acidity, but is still good.
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1/6, very good cork. Decanted 1/2 hr. Deep garnet core, very narrow pale rim. Youthful nose, lots of vanilla, strawberry fruit, touch of coffee and also meatiness as it comes to room temperature. Medium bodied, ripe strawberry fruit, plenty of vanilla again, soft tannins, not overly rich but quite plush and broad , fresh./vibrant acidity carrying a decent length if still slightly tight finish. Potential upside - needs more time - next bottle 3-4 years.
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Classic traditional Rioja wine. Not decanted. It probably should have been... It has all of the characteristics expected from a Rioja. While already very nice, it should soften and develop more complexity over time. It wasn't really given the attention that it needed.
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The fruit here is still generous and dense but not fleshy. There is a note of oxidation hanging around in the background but the fruit overall seems maybe on the cusp of maturity rather than in some sort of end phase. Strong acidic core underneath and a bit of tannin. Without that bit of oxidation I'd think this wine's lack of outward expression would put it in an awkward mode. Without that bit of worry there is a lot to work with for a better future. It's not really closed but not really very expressive either right now. I'm leaving the other bottle be for now. I'll gamble on something better down the road.
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Russk. Pablo's Spanish Icons WSW tasting at Matchbox. My wine. Liked it better this time . a bit like a mature Bordeaux but with maybe a Touch Too Much sweetness.
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Still quite dark. I couldn't figure out the nose but the taste is at the same time sweet and savoury and very smooth yet with a balancing acidity that works perfectly with food. Lovely wine.
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A slight rim and a generous bramble nose. Softer than I expected but with minimal fruit, the tannins though soft were still present but the acidity was surprisingly high. Will this last, I don't think so. With the fruit, tannins and acidity being out of balance after 16 years was it well made or was it my storage hat has upset the balance. It was very enjoyable but I guess I expected more...
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Small Après-Tasting Wasserman Producer Dinner (Sepia - Chicago IL): From magnum. Dried red fruit and dried spice with earth. Seemed older than 2001 to me, but I believe there were some cork challenges, so perhaps a little bit of oxidation. Still quite tasty in a classically unique old school Rioja manner.
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Done in the international style, with good fruit density and some vanilla oak. This seemed a bit younger than stated age, and has many more years to go. Could gain some complexity and character with maybe another decade or two. Bottles from the early 80s (gimme the 81) are apparently drinking quite well now.
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This is in my top 20 desert island wines. One of the best Riojas from one of the best vintages ever, period. This is finally just opening up as my first 4 or 5 were super closed and quiet. Truffle and spice just coming through, but I have 30+ year plans for these babies. Last bottlings from CVNE's old winery!!
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Potente, directo, abierto, repleto de descriptores de todo tipo aunque sin un hilo conductor definido. Hay fruta licorosa, guindas, ciruelas pasas, mucha barrica y especias, café quemado, tostados, cremosos, tímidos reductivos (cuero viejo, térreos); y así podríamos continuar sacándole y sacándalo... Manda el desorden y la falta de uniformidad. No parece haberse aposentado. Un derroche de energía que no lleva a nada. La única solución será darle más tiempo y rescatarlo dentro de muchos años. La sensación es de estar ante un vino crudo y por hacerse.
En boca es un peso pesado: mucho vigor, taninos marcados, fruta a toneladas, estructura tremenda y acidez galopante. Menudo cuado!! Se intuye una buena materia prima y energía como en pocas ocasiones pero dista de ser un vino de consumo inmediato. No se puede valorar en este momento. Un Viña Real gran reserva de estilo más moderno de lo que cabría pensar, afectado aún por su paso en madera y con un montón de aspectos por acabar de ligar. Exige botella. Atrás quedan los VR de sastrería. Veremos como le sienta el paso del tiempo.
- - - Wine Info - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 95% tempranillo, 5% graciano. 13% vol. - Uva procedente en su integridad de viñedos situados en la Rioja Alavesa. Fermentación alcohólica en frío y posterior fermentación maloláctica en barricas nuevas de roble francés y americano. Trasiegas cada 3 meses para estabilizar y limpiar el vino de forma natural. Es sometido a 24 meses de crianza en barricas de roble de 225 litros de segundo año con diversas trasiegas manuales. Clarificado con claras de huevos fresos. Un mínimo de 3 años de guarda en botellero en los calados de la bodega antes de ser comercializado. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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2001 Rioja (Maryland): Initially this wine and the Imperial were quite shut down and it was difficult to tell them apart. But this opens to show a bit more red fruit, but still lots of dark earth and violets. Fleshy berries on the palate with tangy acid and some real firmness to the palate. Complex earthy, oaky, smoky elements come out, but this wine needs a whole lot of air and/or cellar time to really show its stuff.
Russk. My wine and not cheap, but cheap tasting. Jammy and a bit disjointed. Nothing like the Imperial, which is more austere and classy. 89+. Others liked it more. I should stay away from the Cune Real series. Too new world.
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Clear ruby red, hint of orange at rim. Needed six hours open to really show at its best. Nose now delicate but still bursting with life in the mouth. Blackcurrant fruit initially and then it continues as it lingers for over a minute. Well matched by the oak. Harmonious. Literally mouthwatering. Will continue to age well. Great with beef.
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Solidly consistent and enjoyable, this is still dominated by primary fruit and oak with little sign of secondary development three years after the first bottle, but it's very well integrated. I wish I had bought a lot more of this and could check in on it every couple of years for the next decade or two, as I think it will be drinking at least as well, and likely better, for a very long time.
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Not a good showing for this wine. Served with a Spanish chicken and chorizo casserole which rather overpowered this rather delicate wine. Will try something lighter next time.
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In the garden, on a hot day, no decanting. Maybe it is the higher temperature, or maybe it is in fact a little more integrated than on previous occasions. Certainly a wonderful wine.
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Fairly acidic and tart for my tastes. Let it decant for several hours, but never really came together. Did not improve much over the next two days. The last bottle was much better.
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CVNE vs La Rioja Alta faceoff (Chez Mas): Very dark, young looking Rioja, nose bursting with fruit, kirsch, cherry, dark fruits, wine gums, blackcurrant, dark fruits.
Young palate, very acidic, with a slight chocolate bitterness, oak, cherry and blueberry.
(Two tatsers commented " very drinkable!" and one "quite bland". Vive la difference.)
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This is classic Rioja the way it should be done: a fabulous core of persistent fruit married to vanillin oak and a variety of spicy secondary favors. The nose is beautiful, with cinnamon, cloves and more prosaic flavor swelling up from the glass. On the palate the wine is still very lively, with good acidity and soft, but not yet fully resolved, tannins. This wine has at least 10 years of beautiful drinking ahead of it as the primary fruit favors are gradually replaced with more complex favors. The finish is deep, slightly drying, but very satisfying. For the $30.00 dollars I paid this is a bargain. I dare you to find quality at this price from Bordeaux at less than 3 or 4 times the price!
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Smooth and silky but too much oak at this stage. A cherry vanilla milkshake of a Rioja. Saving my other bottle to how it develops in another year or two.
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Rich dark leathery fruit on opening. Gets more complex, just enough acidity but more fruit than texture. Good but will improve. Doubt it will last more than 10 yrs - too modern and friendly
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Over the course of about an hour this went from 1) still not great, but no more woodiness and much better than the bottle I had last year, to 2) pretty good, but not good enough for me to buy more to hold, to 3) really amazingly great, classic Rioja with deep, black leathery-tinged berry fruit, richly concentrated but still polished and suave--must get more. It's not as classy as the Imperial but it strikes a great balance between its rich fruit material and those streamlined, tertiary old-school Rioja flavors.
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Delicious when served rather cold (decanted an hour): Smooth and sumptuous, with plenty of black berry fruit and less apparent oak than I remembered it.
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WCC Rioja Blind (Dorato's Resturant, Guilderland, NY): [Double decanted around 4pm with 30 minutes of air. Served around 8:30.] Black fruit. Sweet and tasty. Not showing much complexity tonight, but appealing wine.
Opened this with some roasted leg of lamb and it was terrific. Probably a little fruit forward than some of the other CVNE offerings, but a special wine nevertheless. Red cherry and currant fruit with saddle leather, dried herbs, and tons of earthiness. Super sappy on the finish and if paired with herb crusted, salty meat, it is clicking on all cylinders. Highly recommended.
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Decanted two hours and served after a Duroché Charmes-Chambertin 2009. Complex semi-mature nose with leather, figs, plums, strawberries, mild pipe tobacco and a lot of other things, perhaps not so wonderfully fresh as the Burgundy, but very impressive in its own right: In terms of sheer drinking pleasure and general quality it is certainly on a par with the grand cru Burgundy. Fine juicy taste, perhaps less mineral than Burgundy. Still a young wine for what it is.
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First half, decanted an hour and drunk out of Riedel Vinum Burgundy glasses. Darker than expected. Stunning nose of salty licorice and sweet plums; middle-weight smooth and harmonious taste with a fine sweetness and a lot of acidity while the tannin is little apparent with food. Lots of oak in the last drops. Beautiful stuff, very young for this kind of wine. I wonder how it would compare to a grand cru Burgundy. - Second half, two days later, decanted half an hour: Seemingly bigger; harmonious, fragrant and smooth wine; the acidity was less noticeable although it might be owing to less air. Excellent with a rich dish with red peppers, smoked bacon and some hot smoked paprika.
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Garnet with an evolved nose offering meat, tobacco, vanilla and a core of red & black fruit. Tight on palate with vivid acidity, firm ripe tannins and good balance. Medium complexity wine that has the potential to further age, possibly for more than a decade. At this moment is rather lean and closed however but perhaps will improve over time.
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Had with grilled steak. Nice pairing. Vibrant color with little to no oxidation showing. As it breathed the anise appeared and dropped a perhaps a taste of sweet tobacco, one of my favorite things in wine. Looking forward to the future opening these up over the net 20+ years.
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Rich and voluptuous nose - deep and seductive with exotic spices and deep black purple fruits. Great balance, silky soft but firm tannins, great stripe of acidity that really shines through on the finish. This bottle will be really nice in 5-6 more years. Would love to try again in 2018.
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The nose was vibrantly expressive with black cherry, dark chocolate, wood tones, stewed tomato and floral undergrowth. On the palate, it was balanced and juicy with dark red fruits and savory broth. Intense, staying cranberry fruit and drying wood notes lasted into the medium long finish, where its tannins are still slightly present. In five years, this bottle should be a beauty.
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Opens with a huge thwack of raw, lumber-yard style wood, and while the woodiness fades into the background with air, it does seem to remain as a malevolent background force drying the wine out.
10 Years Tasting (The same wines now and in 10 years) (Martin's House): In your face smell of bananas, those ripe little red bananas you get in tropical locations, like Costa Rica, that just kick the ass of all the bananas you get here. smells a bit like Fortnum & Masons's Christmas Jam. Banana Cupkae, spiced meatloaf. Short: LEGENDARY NOSE. On the palate the wine falls short unfortunately, rather short, and unbalanced acidity.
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A complex wine with aromas and flavors of dark pit fruits mixed with an underlying floral quality and hints of spices and vanilla. The balance of fruit, tannin and acidity was excellent. The wine finished long and smooth with a nice mineral lift. It could improve with age but why wait?
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Had a bottle w/ dinner at Colicchio and Sons and found alot going on here; richly pigmented, effusive nose of bright red fruits w/ some floral and spice notes; ample even if slightly rough tannic structure which along w/ the tempranillo tang (I presume the wine has a relatively low pH) ought to see this thing through a long and interesting lifespan. Inspired I bought a case; popping the cork on one to see if my earlier eval was on target I feel fine about sitting on the rest having one every year or two.
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Fantastic stuff, and a reminder that I really should drink more traditional Rioja. Elegant, restrained red fruited flavours combining seamlessly with florality, spices and developed leathery and smoky elements in a very polished, finessed package. There's tremendous depth and balance here, and it only gets better with air.
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Youthful colour - looks more like a Reserva than Gran Reserva. Behaves that way too. Nose is a bit subtle at present, well integrated oak and soft red fruits, a little complexity after an hour but not much. Tastes very young and richly fruited. Modern feel to this. Plenty of substance and the promise of complexity to come but it needs at least 10 years yet.
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I found this much less expressive on the nose. But red fruits dominate, not as much vanilla. Also a pure deep cherry colour. On the palate its very fresh and lively. Touch more acidity perhaps. At this stage I prefer the Imperial and feel it’s more the house style.
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We bought two bottles and popped opn one of them a couple of days ago. Decanted it for a couple of hours. Light red color immediately suggesting a light bodied wine. Aromas of berries and stone fruit which carried through on the palette. Silky tannins and lovely floaty feeling which you get with old vines. The most pleasing aspect of the wine was the fantastic length and balance. This guy went on and on and for more than 40 seconds and kept on developing right to the end. Also has some floral notes of lavendar towards the end. At $35 a botle this is an absolute steal
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Slight warming rim and a good nose. Good berry fruits and soft tannins - gentle acidity. Plummy with perhaps either dried plums or faint prunes on the mid palate. Fades well with a little dryness on the length that shows the resilience of the tannins I suspect. Many years to go but I only have three bottles left, drat!
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Christmas Quaffs: Young, really bright, throwback Rioja. Very fragrant with sweet notes, very judicious use of oak, good length, elegant texture, and that insane acidity. Hard to say where this is gonna go. If the acids integrate/soften, this will be sublime. Right now, very nice.
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The first impression brings forth sweet American oak on the nose, which comes across as coconut when mixed with the sweet red lightish fruits here; a bit of dirt, smoke and charcoal make an appearance as well. Lovely nose, one of the best of the tasting. On the palate, decent with tomatoey fruit; not quite up to the beauty of the nose. 88-89+
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Medium ruby color. Difficult to write up a good TN for this wine because it changed markedly in the glass over two hours. Began with a lot of caramel on the nose, mulling spice and sweet red cherry/strawberry. After a time the caramel notes receded, it became more integrated and somewhat more herbal with more of a black cherry aroma. Medium bodied on the palate with good presence, lots of fine tannins on the finish. Room for upside in time. 91+ pts.
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Cork showed very little sign of age. Dark, almost black centre in the glass. Long tears on the glass. Edge showing ruby red, but still a hint of purple. Lovely, fruity nose. Blackberry dominates, but still very tannic. Dries the mouth on the finish. Lovely lingering fruit. Powerful, but not yet balanced. Needs more time. Next in 2013.
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Medium red center with hints of garnet at the very rim. This is a polarizing wine for me, as I enjoyed the traditional old-style aged flavors of dried red fruit, leather, earth and spice (nutmeg?). However, the aroma of new-world american oak, which comes across as toasted coconut, is a bit heavy. Will revisit tomorrow.
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12/17/2023 - Tgood wrote:
Virtually unchanged since 2011 stored at 55F - agree with Simong’s take - not unenjoyable just youthful and shy still yet - maybe a wine for the grandchildren - if/when they come along
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12/15/2023 - dougsmith Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep ruby color. Nose of tobacco leaf and sweet red berries. Lighter on the palate than I had anticipated, pleasant.
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5/1/2023 - SimonG wrote: 91 Points
Deep mid ruby. Richly red fruited with a dense but finely velvety texture. Bright with good acidity. Tannins nicely resolved. If you like them young, this is ready to go, and certainly enjoyable, but it’s still fruit led without any flavour development; texturally it’s pretty much there. Structure is based on fruit and acidity and should see it through the next couple of decades nicely. First sighter, so with two cases minus this bottle, one every year to eighteen months should chart its evolution smoothly. **** 91, with upside.
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4/29/2023 - Bernard wrote: 90 Points
Mature, savoury but enough fruit left. No rush to drink up.
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4/9/2023 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still delicious, fully mature but no rush, classic old school rioja.
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2/18/2023 - DK Amateur wrote:
Decanted at ten, drunk at noon and again from 6 PM. Zalto universal and burgundy glasses. After eight hours from burgundy glass: Rather dark, even blackish colour. Fine dark-toned Rioja with dark fruits, smoke, toast, read earth. The American oak is very much integrated. Much closer in its aromatic profile to Rioja Alta's 904 than expected. In the mouth it shows feinster Schliff, as the Germans say, and still very high acidity but it is not ethereal (yet) or leathery as the bottles of the 1970s were already in the 1980s. Less sweet than expected. Will still be good in twenty years, I guess.
After 30 hours in the decanter it has developed a minor note of volatile acidity, but is still good.
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2/26/2021 - Paul D wrote: 90 Points
1/6, very good cork. Decanted 1/2 hr.
Deep garnet core, very narrow pale rim. Youthful nose, lots of vanilla, strawberry fruit, touch of coffee and also meatiness as it comes to room temperature. Medium bodied, ripe strawberry fruit, plenty of vanilla again, soft tannins, not overly rich but quite plush and broad , fresh./vibrant acidity carrying a decent length if still slightly tight finish. Potential upside - needs more time - next bottle 3-4 years.
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10/31/2020 - SimonS wrote: 92 Points
This was lovely, mid weight, sweetish midpalate, touched with vanillin, very bright fruit, apparently still on the young side.
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1/12/2020 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic traditional Rioja wine.
Not decanted. It probably should have been...
It has all of the characteristics expected from a Rioja. While already very nice, it should soften and develop more complexity over time. It wasn't really given the attention that it needed.
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10/28/2018 - WetRock wrote:
The fruit here is still generous and dense but not fleshy. There is a note of oxidation hanging around in the background but the fruit overall seems maybe on the cusp of maturity rather than in some sort of end phase. Strong acidic core underneath and a bit of tannin. Without that bit of oxidation I'd think this wine's lack of outward expression would put it in an awkward mode. Without that bit of worry there is a lot to work with for a better future. It's not really closed but not really very expressive either right now. I'm leaving the other bottle be for now. I'll gamble on something better down the road.
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7/14/2018 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. Pablo's Spanish Icons WSW tasting at Matchbox. My wine. Liked it better this time . a bit like a mature Bordeaux but with maybe a Touch Too Much sweetness.
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4/28/2018 - empire80 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Soft faded strawberry and cherry fruit, sappy vanilla oak. Gentle but refined. Upgraded by one point on day 2.
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12/30/2017 - DK Amateur Likes this wine:
Still quite dark. I couldn't figure out the nose but the taste is at the same time sweet and savoury and very smooth yet with a balancing acidity that works perfectly with food. Lovely wine.
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12/29/2017 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Mature traditional rioja, vanilla oak, most of the fruit has faded, but leaving a delightfully seamless palate of gentle spice and black olive.
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10/29/2017 - andrew@carvedras.co.uk wrote: 90 Points
A slight rim and a generous bramble nose.
Softer than I expected but with minimal fruit, the tannins though soft were still present but the acidity was surprisingly high.
Will this last, I don't think so. With the fruit, tannins and acidity being out of balance after 16 years was it well made or was it my storage hat has upset the balance. It was very enjoyable but I guess I expected more...
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3/2/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Small Après-Tasting Wasserman Producer Dinner (Sepia - Chicago IL): From magnum. Dried red fruit and dried spice with earth. Seemed older than 2001 to me, but I believe there were some cork challenges, so perhaps a little bit of oxidation. Still quite tasty in a classically unique old school Rioja manner.
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9/16/2016 - "Rhône Rider" wrote: flawed
Vanilje, tørket frukt, noe lim. Litt slapp. Flaskefeil.
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7/5/2016 - SteelerFan wrote: 88 Points
Similar to prior bottle.
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6/5/2016 - SteelerFan wrote: 89 Points
Very nice. Maturing well but still youthful. Just lacks a bit of depth.
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5/22/2016 - Chaz Bham wrote:
Done in the international style, with good fruit density and some vanilla oak. This seemed a bit younger than stated age, and has many more years to go. Could gain some complexity and character with maybe another decade or two. Bottles from the early 80s (gimme the 81) are apparently drinking quite well now.
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3/11/2016 - moany rhoney Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice modern rioja, still a bit young and may give more if left a bit. For now nice with food.
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1/31/2016 - empire80 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Better than my previous bottle. Strawberry, cherry, vanilla, hint of balsam, and well balanced acidity. A highly enjoyable Rioja.
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1/11/2016 - TerroirHunter wrote: 93 Points
This is in my top 20 desert island wines. One of the best Riojas from one of the best vintages ever, period. This is finally just opening up as my first 4 or 5 were super closed and quiet. Truffle and spice just coming through, but I have 30+ year plans for these babies. Last bottlings from CVNE's old winery!!
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11/26/2015 - Los 12 Glotones wrote:
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Els12golafres Wine Tasting Group: http://vinosclasicos.blogspot.com.es/2015/11/vina-real-2001-gran-reserva.html
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De color cereza granatoso de capa media-alta, muy extraido, tapado. Limpio, brillante, con reflejos rojizos y anaranjados. Cierta sensación de grosor, lágrimas finísimas, permanentes. Borde estrechos, atejado.
Potente, directo, abierto, repleto de descriptores de todo tipo aunque sin un hilo conductor definido. Hay fruta licorosa, guindas, ciruelas pasas, mucha barrica y especias, café quemado, tostados, cremosos, tímidos reductivos (cuero viejo, térreos); y así podríamos continuar sacándole y sacándalo... Manda el desorden y la falta de uniformidad. No parece haberse aposentado. Un derroche de energía que no lleva a nada. La única solución será darle más tiempo y rescatarlo dentro de muchos años. La sensación es de estar ante un vino crudo y por hacerse.
En boca es un peso pesado: mucho vigor, taninos marcados, fruta a toneladas, estructura tremenda y acidez galopante. Menudo cuado!! Se intuye una buena materia prima y energía como en pocas ocasiones pero dista de ser un vino de consumo inmediato. No se puede valorar en este momento. Un Viña Real gran reserva de estilo más moderno de lo que cabría pensar, afectado aún por su paso en madera y con un montón de aspectos por acabar de ligar. Exige botella. Atrás quedan los VR de sastrería. Veremos como le sienta el paso del tiempo.
- - - Wine Info - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
95% tempranillo, 5% graciano. 13% vol.
- Uva procedente en su integridad de viñedos situados en la Rioja Alavesa. Fermentación alcohólica en frío y posterior fermentación maloláctica en barricas nuevas de roble francés y americano. Trasiegas cada 3 meses para estabilizar y limpiar el vino de forma natural. Es sometido a 24 meses de crianza en barricas de roble de 225 litros de segundo año con diversas trasiegas manuales. Clarificado con claras de huevos fresos. Un mínimo de 3 años de guarda en botellero en los calados de la bodega antes de ser comercializado.
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10/10/2015 - isaacjamesbaker wrote: 90 Points
2001 Rioja (Maryland): Initially this wine and the Imperial were quite shut down and it was difficult to tell them apart. But this opens to show a bit more red fruit, but still lots of dark earth and violets. Fleshy berries on the palate with tangy acid and some real firmness to the palate. Complex earthy, oaky, smoky elements come out, but this wine needs a whole lot of air and/or cellar time to really show its stuff.
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2/27/2015 - RussK wrote: 89 Points
Russk. My wine and not cheap, but cheap tasting. Jammy and a bit disjointed. Nothing like the Imperial, which is more austere and classy. 89+. Others liked it more. I should stay away from the Cune Real series. Too new world.
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1/1/2015 - rupertg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Clear ruby red, hint of orange at rim. Needed six hours open to really show at its best. Nose now delicate but still bursting with life in the mouth. Blackcurrant fruit initially and then it continues as it lingers for over a minute. Well matched by the oak. Harmonious. Literally mouthwatering. Will continue to age well. Great with beef.
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10/29/2014 - TKS9 wrote: 92 Points
Solidly consistent and enjoyable, this is still dominated by primary fruit and oak with little sign of secondary development three years after the first bottle, but it's very well integrated. I wish I had bought a lot more of this and could check in on it every couple of years for the next decade or two, as I think it will be drinking at least as well, and likely better, for a very long time.
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10/1/2014 - Nealefisher Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good fruit and spice. Softened up nicely by day 2.
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8/26/2014 - MissHighwater wrote: 87 Points
Not a good showing for this wine. Served with a Spanish chicken and chorizo casserole which rather overpowered this rather delicate wine.
Will try something lighter next time.
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7/25/2014 - DK Amateur wrote:
In the garden, on a hot day, no decanting. Maybe it is the higher temperature, or maybe it is in fact a little more integrated than on previous occasions. Certainly a wonderful wine.
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4/21/2014 - Nealefisher wrote: 88 Points
Fairly acidic and tart for my tastes. Let it decant for several hours, but never really came together. Did not improve much over the next two days. The last bottle was much better.
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4/6/2014 - Tannatastic Likes this wine: 91 Points
CVNE vs La Rioja Alta faceoff (Chez Mas): Very dark, young looking Rioja, nose bursting with fruit, kirsch, cherry, dark fruits, wine gums, blackcurrant, dark fruits.
Young palate, very acidic, with a slight chocolate bitterness, oak, cherry and blueberry.
(Two tatsers commented " very drinkable!" and one "quite bland". Vive la difference.)
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2/23/2014 - niloc36 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is classic Rioja the way it should be done: a fabulous core of persistent fruit married to vanillin oak and a variety of spicy secondary favors. The nose is beautiful, with cinnamon, cloves and more prosaic flavor swelling up from the glass. On the palate the wine is still very lively, with good acidity and soft, but not yet fully resolved, tannins. This wine has at least 10 years of beautiful drinking ahead of it as the primary fruit favors are gradually replaced with more complex favors. The finish is deep, slightly drying, but very satisfying. For the $30.00 dollars I paid this is a bargain. I dare you to find quality at this price from Bordeaux at less than 3 or 4 times the price!
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1/1/2014 - empire80 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Vanilla, leather and spice, strawberry fruit, but just a little dilute.
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10/21/2013 - Janstan Likes this wine: 86 Points
old leather
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9/26/2013 - Levinsb wrote: 89 Points
Smooth and silky but too much oak at this stage. A cherry vanilla milkshake of a Rioja. Saving my other bottle to how it develops in another year or two.
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9/12/2013 - presterjohn wrote:
Rich dark leathery fruit on opening. Gets more complex, just enough acidity but more fruit than texture. Good but will improve. Doubt it will last more than 10 yrs - too modern and friendly
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9/11/2013 - Vinomark wrote: 90 Points
Solid Rioja GR but needs 5+ years for depth to develop. Fruit dominates now.
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8/10/2013 - Keith Levenberg Likes this wine: 93 Points
Over the course of about an hour this went from 1) still not great, but no more woodiness and much better than the bottle I had last year, to 2) pretty good, but not good enough for me to buy more to hold, to 3) really amazingly great, classic Rioja with deep, black leathery-tinged berry fruit, richly concentrated but still polished and suave--must get more. It's not as classy as the Imperial but it strikes a great balance between its rich fruit material and those streamlined, tertiary old-school Rioja flavors.
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8/6/2013 - DK Amateur wrote:
Delicious when served rather cold (decanted an hour): Smooth and sumptuous, with plenty of black berry fruit and less apparent oak than I remembered it.
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8/3/2013 - Nealefisher Likes this wine: 92 Points
Spicy flavor with hints of pepper. Got better with a little bit of air. Can't imagine it gets much better from here.
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1/31/2013 - kenv Likes this wine: 92 Points
WCC Rioja Blind (Dorato's Resturant, Guilderland, NY): [Double decanted around 4pm with 30 minutes of air. Served around 8:30.] Black fruit. Sweet and tasty. Not showing much complexity tonight, but appealing wine.
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12/8/2012 - rupertg wrote: 94 Points
Clear red, hint of brick. Very harmonious balance of fruit and oak. Blackcurrant and vanilla, but both gentle. Lingers well.
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9/22/2012 - RogerG wrote:
(1 of 2) Soft tannin, round and rich. Dried apricots, prunes.
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7/21/2012 - steffenpelz wrote:
Opened this with some roasted leg of lamb and it was terrific. Probably a little fruit forward than some of the other CVNE offerings, but a special wine nevertheless. Red cherry and currant fruit with saddle leather, dried herbs, and tons of earthiness. Super sappy on the finish and if paired with herb crusted, salty meat, it is clicking on all cylinders. Highly recommended.
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5/18/2012 - DK Amateur Likes this wine:
Decanted two hours and served after a Duroché Charmes-Chambertin 2009. Complex semi-mature nose with leather, figs, plums, strawberries, mild pipe tobacco and a lot of other things, perhaps not so wonderfully fresh as the Burgundy, but very impressive in its own right: In terms of sheer drinking pleasure and general quality it is certainly on a par with the grand cru Burgundy. Fine juicy taste, perhaps less mineral than Burgundy. Still a young wine for what it is.
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5/7/2012 - DK Amateur Likes this wine:
First half, decanted an hour and drunk out of Riedel Vinum Burgundy glasses. Darker than expected. Stunning nose of salty licorice and sweet plums; middle-weight smooth and harmonious taste with a fine sweetness and a lot of acidity while the tannin is little apparent with food. Lots of oak in the last drops. Beautiful stuff, very young for this kind of wine. I wonder how it would compare to a grand cru Burgundy. - Second half, two days later, decanted half an hour: Seemingly bigger; harmonious, fragrant and smooth wine; the acidity was less noticeable although it might be owing to less air. Excellent with a rich dish with red peppers, smoked bacon and some hot smoked paprika.
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4/22/2012 - Dokken wrote: 89 Points
Garnet with an evolved nose offering meat, tobacco, vanilla and a core of red & black fruit. Tight on palate with vivid acidity, firm ripe tannins and good balance. Medium complexity wine that has the potential to further age, possibly for more than a decade. At this moment is rather lean and closed however but perhaps will improve over time.
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3/30/2012 - Janstan wrote: 92 Points
Had with grilled steak. Nice pairing. Vibrant color with little to no oxidation showing. As it breathed the anise appeared and dropped a perhaps a taste of sweet tobacco, one of my favorite things in wine. Looking forward to the future opening these up over the net 20+ years.
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2/12/2012 - Jack Cranley wrote: 91 Points
Rich and voluptuous nose - deep and seductive with exotic spices and deep black purple fruits. Great balance, silky soft but firm tannins, great stripe of acidity that really shines through on the finish. This bottle will be really nice in 5-6 more years. Would love to try again in 2018.
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2/5/2012 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose was vibrantly expressive with black cherry, dark chocolate, wood tones, stewed tomato and floral undergrowth. On the palate, it was balanced and juicy with dark red fruits and savory broth. Intense, staying cranberry fruit and drying wood notes lasted into the medium long finish, where its tannins are still slightly present. In five years, this bottle should be a beauty.
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12/5/2011 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 80 Points
Opens with a huge thwack of raw, lumber-yard style wood, and while the woodiness fades into the background with air, it does seem to remain as a malevolent background force drying the wine out.
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11/24/2011 - tendring Likes this wine: 89 Points
Wine Education Service - Rioja - Gran Reservas (Imperial College): Very little age, just opaque.
Fruity, vegetal, chocolate, an attractive nose.
Quite tannic, a little buttery, spicy, a weighty wine, still youthful, good length.
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11/12/2011 - G_H Likes this wine: 91 Points
10 Years Tasting (The same wines now and in 10 years) (Martin's House): In your face smell of bananas, those ripe little red bananas you get in tropical locations, like Costa Rica, that just kick the ass of all the bananas you get here. smells a bit like Fortnum & Masons's Christmas Jam. Banana Cupkae, spiced meatloaf. Short: LEGENDARY NOSE. On the palate the wine falls short unfortunately, rather short, and unbalanced acidity.
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11/8/2011 - EMichels wrote: 89 Points
Ok nose; Simple; A bit sweet; Improves in glass; Nice clarity
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11/5/2011 - rupertg wrote: 89 Points
Full, mellow, cedar and leather. Wait.
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10/29/2011 - PangurBan wrote: 91 Points
A complex wine with aromas and flavors of dark pit fruits mixed with an underlying floral quality and hints of spices and vanilla. The balance of fruit, tannin and acidity was excellent. The wine finished long and smooth with a nice mineral lift. It could improve with age but why wait?
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10/22/2011 - ecola Likes this wine: 91 Points
Shows its age with some earthiness and soft cherry. Minimal tannins. Very classy.
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9/13/2011 - heidoanddave Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cherry flavor, some vanilla and oak. Enjoyable wine, but question whether it deserves WA rating...perhaps it needs more time?
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9/10/2011 - king-bing wrote:
I found this pretty overwhelmingly American oaked. Seemed more like vanilla juice. Not such a good bottle or have my tastes changed?
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9/7/2011 - Tgood wrote: 92 Points
Had a bottle w/ dinner at Colicchio and Sons and found alot going on here; richly pigmented, effusive nose of bright red fruits w/ some floral and spice notes; ample even if slightly rough tannic structure which along w/ the tempranillo tang (I presume the wine has a relatively low pH) ought to see this thing through a long and interesting lifespan. Inspired I bought a case; popping the cork on one to see if my earlier eval was on target I feel fine about sitting on the rest having one every year or two.
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5/21/2011 - Weston3220 Likes this wine:
Once it opened it was very nice, also went well with the food, earthy, red fruit good juice
conc: Would buy again
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5/15/2011 - Fateful Destiny Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good Rioja. Not over oaked, but a nice presence of oak. Light and modest alcohol. Quite well balanced.
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4/12/2011 - salil wrote: 93 Points
Fantastic stuff, and a reminder that I really should drink more traditional Rioja. Elegant, restrained red fruited flavours combining seamlessly with florality, spices and developed leathery and smoky elements in a very polished, finessed package. There's tremendous depth and balance here, and it only gets better with air.
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4/3/2011 - kevin h wrote: 90 Points
Youthful colour - looks more like a Reserva than Gran Reserva. Behaves that way too. Nose is a bit subtle at present, well integrated oak and soft red fruits, a little complexity after an hour but not much. Tastes very young and richly fruited. Modern feel to this. Plenty of substance and the promise of complexity to come but it needs at least 10 years yet.
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2/19/2011 - rayq wrote: 90 Points
95% Tempranillo 5% Graciano Alc13.5%
I found this much less expressive on the nose.
But red fruits dominate, not as much vanilla.
Also a pure deep cherry colour.
On the palate its very fresh and lively.
Touch more acidity perhaps.
At this stage I prefer the Imperial and feel it’s more the house style.
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2/19/2011 - The Vinocrat Likes this wine: 92 Points
This showed beautifully today.
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2/6/2011 - duggarm@outlook.com wrote: 93 Points
We bought two bottles and popped opn one of them a couple of days ago. Decanted it for a couple of hours. Light red color immediately suggesting a light bodied wine. Aromas of berries and stone fruit which carried through on the palette. Silky tannins and lovely floaty feeling which you get with old vines. The most pleasing aspect of the wine was the fantastic length and balance. This guy went on and on and for more than 40 seconds and kept on developing right to the end. Also has some floral notes of lavendar towards the end. At $35 a botle this is an absolute steal
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1/10/2011 - andrew@carvedras.co.uk wrote: 90 Points
Slight warming rim and a good nose. Good berry fruits and soft tannins - gentle acidity. Plummy with perhaps either dried plums or faint prunes on the mid palate. Fades well with a little dryness on the length that shows the resilience of the tannins I suspect. Many years to go but I only have three bottles left, drat!
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12/25/2010 - blanquito wrote: 92 Points
Christmas Quaffs: Young, really bright, throwback Rioja. Very fragrant with sweet notes, very judicious use of oak, good length, elegant texture, and that insane acidity. Hard to say where this is gonna go. If the acids integrate/soften, this will be sublime. Right now, very nice.
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11/22/2010 - amateurwino wrote: 89 Points
The first impression brings forth sweet American oak on the nose, which comes across as coconut when mixed with the sweet red lightish fruits here; a bit of dirt, smoke and charcoal make an appearance as well. Lovely nose, one of the best of the tasting. On the palate, decent with tomatoey fruit; not quite up to the beauty of the nose. 88-89+
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11/17/2010 - dougsmith wrote: 91 Points
Medium ruby color. Difficult to write up a good TN for this wine because it changed markedly in the glass over two hours. Began with a lot of caramel on the nose, mulling spice and sweet red cherry/strawberry. After a time the caramel notes receded, it became more integrated and somewhat more herbal with more of a black cherry aroma. Medium bodied on the palate with good presence, lots of fine tannins on the finish. Room for upside in time. 91+ pts.
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10/17/2010 - rupertg wrote: 89 Points
Cork showed very little sign of age. Dark, almost black centre in the glass. Long tears on the glass. Edge showing ruby red, but still a hint of purple. Lovely, fruity nose. Blackberry dominates, but still very tannic. Dries the mouth on the finish. Lovely lingering fruit. Powerful, but not yet balanced. Needs more time. Next in 2013.
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9/29/2010 - mdefreitas wrote: 87 Points
Medium red center with hints of garnet at the very rim. This is a polarizing wine for me, as I enjoyed the traditional old-style aged flavors of dried red fruit, leather, earth and spice (nutmeg?). However, the aroma of new-world american oak, which comes across as toasted coconut, is a bit heavy. Will revisit tomorrow.
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