At a tasting, the 2011 Reserva did not seem ready: sweet and jammy, and very tight. It lacked a floor. Tobacco, leather, prune, vanilla (oak). Frankly we were surprised (on the down side) by this: after 12 years, we expected this would have come together better.
We were so lucky to match it at a tasting with a 1988 Reserva. That's something to write about: Nose is floral; taste is delicate, a bit faded; there is still fruit; tastes a bit watery; in the decanter, inky dark in the middle, color thins out at the edge. There was still a floor, with structure and balance to this wine, but clearly a faded glory. Super interesting to taste this 35 years old wine, well past its time. Impressive for a mass produced behemoth of the Rioja DOC -- Parker noted 3 million bottles were produced.
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Meaty, barnyard funk overwhelms the black cherry fruit here in the first 45 minutes after decanting. But complexity intriguing. As it opened, and with the pork stew, things seemed far better in balance. Finished the bottle wishing I had more.
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3/26/2024 - Bavarian64x wrote:
Smooth and unexpectedly lovely!
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4/24/2023 - Carib Does not like this wine:
At a tasting, the 2011 Reserva did not seem ready: sweet and jammy, and very tight. It lacked a floor. Tobacco, leather, prune, vanilla (oak). Frankly we were surprised (on the down side) by this: after 12 years, we expected this would have come together better.
We were so lucky to match it at a tasting with a 1988 Reserva. That's something to write about: Nose is floral; taste is delicate, a bit faded; there is still fruit; tastes a bit watery; in the decanter, inky dark in the middle, color thins out at the edge. There was still a floor, with structure and balance to this wine, but clearly a faded glory. Super interesting to taste this 35 years old wine, well past its time. Impressive for a mass produced behemoth of the Rioja DOC -- Parker noted 3 million bottles were produced.
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7/3/2022 - johnrm Likes this wine: 89 Points
Sound but not memorable for a mature Riscal Reserva.
Better 3-4h after opening and with food (a slightly spiced lamb casserole).
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6/3/2022 - Schönibert wrote: 89 Points
Der wird langsam interessant, scheint wieder ein Langstreckenbomber zu werden.
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1/23/2021 - M.Batard wrote: 90 Points
Meaty, barnyard funk overwhelms the black cherry fruit here in the first 45 minutes after decanting. But complexity intriguing. As it opened, and with the pork stew, things seemed far better in balance. Finished the bottle wishing I had more.
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