I was pretty sure that I had left my remaining bottles too long but was pleasantly surprised on opening another bottle. I would actually say that it’s arguably drinking better than it was a few years ago. The sherry-like oxidised notes remain on the nose but in tasting it seems to have softened nicely. I get some tropical fruit but it’s a hard wine to describe, being so unique. As others have said, an acquired taste (my wife hates it) and definitely, in my view, a food wine. While I will be hesitant to leave the few remaining bottles too long, I’m slightly less concerned than I was that this is over the hill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not for the first time from my case bought 10+ years ago and well stored since, this bottle was oxidised and dead. Very disappointing. Premox in ZH wines from this period does not seem to be uncommon. I’ll certainly not be buying any more ZH sight unseen.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I hadn’t loved the few prior bottles of this vintage that I had tried, finding the style just a bit too much - a reflection of my tastes rather than the wine I think. The latest bottle though has been far more enjoyable - the heavy notes of oxidisation seems to have softened somewhat as the wine starts to settle into old age. Instinctively feels that it’s time to drink up - something supported by a cork that certainly has its best days behind it. Think I’ll be drinking my remaining bottles in the next year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia
5/19/2022 - Pepys Likes this wine: 90 Points
I was pretty sure that I had left my remaining bottles too long but was pleasantly surprised on opening another bottle. I would actually say that it’s arguably drinking better than it was a few years ago. The sherry-like oxidised notes remain on the nose but in tasting it seems to have softened nicely. I get some tropical fruit but it’s a hard wine to describe, being so unique. As others have said, an acquired taste (my wife hates it) and definitely, in my view, a food wine. While I will be hesitant to leave the few remaining bottles too long, I’m slightly less concerned than I was that this is over the hill.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2007 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand Vieilles Vignes
3/13/2021 - Pepys wrote: flawed
Not for the first time from my case bought 10+ years ago and well stored since, this bottle was oxidised and dead. Very disappointing. Premox in ZH wines from this period does not seem to be uncommon. I’ll certainly not be buying any more ZH sight unseen.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia
3/16/2019 - Pepys wrote: 90 Points
I hadn’t loved the few prior bottles of this vintage that I had tried, finding the style just a bit too much - a reflection of my tastes rather than the wine I think. The latest bottle though has been far more enjoyable - the heavy notes of oxidisation seems to have softened somewhat as the wine starts to settle into old age. Instinctively feels that it’s time to drink up - something supported by a cork that certainly has its best days behind it. Think I’ll be drinking my remaining bottles in the next year or two.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment