A touch of tannins at opening that almost immediately disappeared. Medium+ body but more power than many other similar reservas and a flirt with RdD. A touch of cranberries, tobacco? Ready to drink with nice profile.
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Good colory, and clarity. This is a little light in body. The wine has light earth tones, some berry flavors - a nice balance from start to end. The finish is nice but short.
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Sat, 10/26/19, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Typically, 100% Tempranillo (vines ave 45 yrs old) from ≈40% estate owned vyds in the triangle formed by the Rioja Alavesa villages of Villabuena, Samaniego, & Abalos. Hand harvested, destemmed, & fermented in tank, then aged 16 months in FR (27%) & AM (73%) oak barrels, 20% new; 16,700 cases made.
N: A melding of RIPE berries/vanilla with hints of earth, poss pyrazines?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which somewhat resolves by the LONG finish with POSS *hints* of a very, VERY slight bitterness with a TANGY/swtness (60:40) to the dusty tannins. Unless one is "into" acidity, this probably should be cellared through '20, then enjoyed for 3 yrs more? My VG+, but I'd certainly listen to an argument for more based upon QPR. 92 pts Suckling & 89 winealign.com (1/23/19). [This vendor's $12.95 is ≈$2 < wine-searcher's next lowest.]
Note: 1st tasted on 7/20/19
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10/8/2021 - astifors Likes this wine: 90 Points
A touch of tannins at opening that almost immediately disappeared. Medium+ body but more power than many other similar reservas and a flirt with RdD. A touch of cranberries, tobacco?
Ready to drink with nice profile.
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10/27/2020 - wkasimer Likes this wine: 89 Points
Fruit forward and oaky like a solid Rioja should be
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8/28/2020 - bryon m wrote: 90 Points
Good colory, and clarity. This is a little light in body. The wine has light earth tones, some berry flavors - a nice balance from start to end. The finish is nice but short.
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10/26/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Sat, 10/26/19, $2 Tasting (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Typically, 100% Tempranillo (vines ave 45 yrs old) from ≈40% estate owned vyds in the triangle formed by the Rioja Alavesa villages of Villabuena, Samaniego, & Abalos. Hand harvested, destemmed, & fermented in tank, then aged 16 months in FR (27%) & AM (73%) oak barrels, 20% new; 16,700 cases made.
N: A melding of RIPE berries/vanilla with hints of earth, poss pyrazines?
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by an astringent pucker which somewhat resolves by the LONG finish with POSS *hints* of a very, VERY slight bitterness with a TANGY/swtness (60:40) to the dusty tannins. Unless one is "into" acidity, this probably should be cellared through '20, then enjoyed for 3 yrs more? My VG+, but I'd certainly listen to an argument for more based upon QPR. 92 pts Suckling & 89 winealign.com (1/23/19). [This vendor's $12.95 is ≈$2 < wine-searcher's next lowest.]
Note: 1st tasted on 7/20/19
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10/24/2019 - barrkel wrote: 89 Points
Very pleasant smooth rioja, not quite velvety enough to warrant a higher rating, but perfectly serviceable.
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