Had alongside a long lunch (5h) at Azurmendi near Bilbao. P&Ped. Rusty brown colour. Wonderful aging notes of fine tobacco, a bit of smoke, old dried fire wood. Pure strawberry and sour cherry fruit. Hardly any ox notes, still surprisingly fruity on the palate with a good structure but a bit worried the acidity could be at the verge of tipping into vinegar quite soon (big surprise given almost 50yrs of bottle age). But for now standing strong, even after 4h in the glass and gaining intensity and conplexity with roasted coffee beans and earthy notes thrown in the mix. Impressed how these Franco era Reservas are able to age into almost Burgundy-like, elegant and delicate wines while maintaining sufficient tension and fruit.
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Acker April 2019 (Marea in NYC): Part of an RS - Rioja smackdown - from 1970. The fruit is a bit more faded here, but the spice component fills in and is very tasty. It's got a bit of interest from the years.
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Lopez de Heredia (Lopez de Heredia, Haro, Rioja): Half bottle, perfect provenance. Served blind but subsequently identified as 1970. Palest garnet. Spice and leather. Nicely fresh. Long with a gently spicy finish. Remarkably good from half. ****
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Acker Auction & Commanderie des Costes du Rhone (Zuma & Racines): Not as much of the typical tomato paste that I associate with Rioja. Instead this is more potpourri and flowers and dried fruits. Opened and decanted and ready to go almost from the beginning. Very nice wine.
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8/24/2019 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points
Had alongside a long lunch (5h) at Azurmendi near Bilbao. P&Ped. Rusty brown colour. Wonderful aging notes of fine tobacco, a bit of smoke, old dried fire wood. Pure strawberry and sour cherry fruit. Hardly any ox notes, still surprisingly fruity on the palate with a good structure but a bit worried the acidity could be at the verge of tipping into vinegar quite soon (big surprise given almost 50yrs of bottle age). But for now standing strong, even after 4h in the glass and gaining intensity and conplexity with roasted coffee beans and earthy notes thrown in the mix. Impressed how these Franco era Reservas are able to age into almost Burgundy-like, elegant and delicate wines while maintaining sufficient tension and fruit.
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4/6/2019 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Acker April 2019 (Marea in NYC): Part of an RS - Rioja smackdown - from 1970. The fruit is a bit more faded here, but the spice component fills in and is very tasty. It's got a bit of interest from the years.
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3/2/2019 - SimonG wrote: 93 Points
Lopez de Heredia (Lopez de Heredia, Haro, Rioja): Half bottle, perfect provenance. Served blind but subsequently identified as 1970. Palest garnet. Spice and leather. Nicely fresh. Long with a gently spicy finish. Remarkably good from half. ****
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12/8/2018 - Lype wrote:
This bottle is not necessarily off but in a bit strange place, leather, dark tones metal, don't think this bottle represents this wine well.
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5/16/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Acker Auction & Commanderie des Costes du Rhone (Zuma & Racines): Not as much of the typical tomato paste that I associate with Rioja. Instead this is more potpourri and flowers and dried fruits. Opened and decanted and ready to go almost from the beginning. Very nice wine.
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