Decanted for 3 hours. First impressions were good -- it's mostly true Rioja flavors and characteristics, but has very slight lean towards new school fruit. Well balanced in general, except for the alcohol. All the people drinking it thought it was too dominate. Paired quite will with our Texas Paella (yes, I know, a true sin in the eyes of classic paella from Valencia) and would pair well with lots of foods. Still was a very good wine, just not a great one. Rated as 89, but would have rated as 91 or 92 if the alcohol was less present. I've had other vintages of this wine that were superb, but I don't remember the alcohol being such an issue.
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My last bottle of 2 cases. I had saved this last one for about 5 years. Was still very good, but faded a little after about 4 hours. Probably still has decent life left, but probably might not want to wait 5 more years before drinking.
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This was much better than the last bottle that I had a couple of years ago. Paired well with baby back ribs -- just the right amount of fruit. Opened about 1.5 hours before drinking.
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2015 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva
5/6/2023 - ppcwino Likes this wine: 89 Points
Decanted for 3 hours. First impressions were good -- it's mostly true Rioja flavors and characteristics, but has very slight lean towards new school fruit. Well balanced in general, except for the alcohol. All the people drinking it thought it was too dominate. Paired quite will with our Texas Paella (yes, I know, a true sin in the eyes of classic paella from Valencia) and would pair well with lots of foods. Still was a very good wine, just not a great one. Rated as 89, but would have rated as 91 or 92 if the alcohol was less present. I've had other vintages of this wine that were superb, but I don't remember the alcohol being such an issue.
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2008 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
2/25/2022 - ppcwino wrote: 91 Points
My last bottle of 2 cases. I had saved this last one for about 5 years. Was still very good, but faded a little after about 4 hours. Probably still has decent life left, but probably might not want to wait 5 more years before drinking.
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2013 Kenwood Zinfandel Jack London Vineyard
3/22/2020 - ppcwino wrote: 90 Points
This was much better than the last bottle that I had a couple of years ago. Paired well with baby back ribs -- just the right amount of fruit. Opened about 1.5 hours before drinking.
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