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2021 Bodegas Avancia Godello Old Vines
4/16/2024 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
15 Months and No Longer Counting
Ah yes, January 2023, that’s when I expressed my continuing love of today’s wine, albeit the 2020 vintage, and having also reviewed the 2019 vintage 4 months earlier. January 2023 was when I referred to completing the review on this new vintage (2021) as “very soon.” As I expressed in October 2023 with the review of another of the winery’s wines, the Bodegas Avancia "Nobleza" Godello Valdeorras 2020, the review of today’s wine was delayed as “life got in the way, and that got put on hold.” I’m here to finally rectify that delay.
Bodegas Avancia "Old Vine" Godello Valdeorras 2021
From the winery’s Finca Aeiroá vineyard in the D.O. Valdeorras, this organically farmed 100% Godell wine is fermented and aged (10 months) in French Oak giving this wine its distinctive flavors of stone fruits that dominate alongside a citrusy core culminating in this bright refreshing wine. A lean vein of minerality runs in the background. A great wine for shellfish, fish, and lighter fare.
The Avancia Godellos are a staple of my wines. Each wine displays slight nuances that distinguish each from the other, and at different price points, allows a wide range of uses. The Cuvée de O Godello, Godello Old Vines, and the Nobleza Godello Old Vines along with Cuvée de O Mencía and Nobleza Mencía round out these fabulous wines brought to us from Jorge Ordóñez Selections.
Take your pick, but I highly recommend that you try their wines, I think you’ll enjoy them. I just wouldn’t wait 15 months to drink them!
Cheers
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2014 L'Aventure Estate Cuvée
4/9/2024 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 96 Points
An Adventure with L'Aventure
That’s an apropos title to today’s post, given that L’Aventure literally means “the adventure.” Take it from me, today’s wine was all that and more!
Sought out for its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its rolling hills, L’Aventure’s 127 acres have been skillfully planted and maintained, leading to what I can only describe as a near-perfect wine.
L'Aventure "Estate Cuvée" Paso Robles 2014
Attesting to that is at least one other reviewer who gave it a 98-point review when released. After 10 years, it has only gotten better. Formed from 100% Estate-grown fruit under low yields, this blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Syrah, and 15% Petit Verdot undergoes 15 months of aging in 100% New French Oak, culminating in its bottling using no fining or filtering.
The wine after 10 years emerges still as a weighty wine comprised of dark black and blue fruit, an earthy quality yet still allowing the flavors of the Syrah to come through. There is nice acidity and softness to the tannins that bring this wine to a satisfying, long, and smooth finish.
In case you want to go looking for this wine, not likely to find any 2014s, rest assured that the current vintages (2020 or 2021) are of similar quality, as are all of the wines from L’Aventure. The same reviewer that gave 2014 a 98-point review gave the same to the 2021 vintage and a 99-point review to the 2020. For those more recent vintages, know that cellaring, while only an option, is recommended and can easily stretch 15 years or more!
Cheers
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2011 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia
4/2/2024 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
I'll Drink No Wine Before Its Time
That slogan came to mind as I opened and began submerging myself in today’s wine. After all, we are talking about a 2011 Vintage wine, which makes it 13 years old!
López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Reserva Rioja 2011
It’s no secret that many Spanish winemakers don’t release their wines until they feel the wine is ready to drink, thus bringing many wines to market well after their vintage date. Heredia is no exception, the wine, however, is exceptional!
For nearly 150 years, Heredia has endeavored to produce high-quality wines. Today’s wine is a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo spending the better part of 6 years aging in barrel. Let the record show that this wine was only recently released, so there was only slight additional aging in the cellar.
Wines of this caliber require a certain patience when drinking them. The aging process gives the wine nuances that many, more novice a wine drinker, might find “different.” There was a certain savoriness to the wine. Dried cherry, a hint of licorice, and taut tannins, while soft, still evoke a puckery finish. The acidity is there to brighten the experience.
One must not forget to enjoy this wine with something of a savory and rather substantial meal. It is not to be drunk alone. Nor did I find the need to decant for hours.
Expect to find either the 2011 or 2012 vintage on the shelves. Either should be excellent. Also, know that Heredia produces some other wines that may be slightly younger, but likely of excellent quality.
Cheers
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