2001 Bodegas Balbas Ribera del Duero Reserva

Community Tasting Notes (127) Avg Score: 90.3 points

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  7/19/2020 - McMalbec Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Unfamiliar with this wine and producer, purchased for $20, almost 20 years in the bottle, we didn't know what to expect.We opened this for a Spanish wine tasting directly out of the cellar.The cork was in good condition and easily removed. The color was opaque purple and was without noticeable sediment. Black cherry with some cedar on the nose; smooth on the palate, with tart red plum, blackberry,and spice notes; cassis and spice on the finish. We were pleased and are happy to have 3 bottles left!

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  10/20/2019 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points

  Very dark red color with 7mm transitional margin. PNP, split bottle over 2 hours. This is so ready to go now, very silky and soft. Exotic tobacco is driving the nose, dense Asian spices, cassis and blackberry, and subtle anise. The palate is full bodied, great purity to the fruit, cassis, blackberries, fine tobacco, underbrush, awesome spices, and something intriguing that is reminescent of drying paint. This does improve over an hour modestly and shows a lovely damp proest floor note. So perfectly integrated and easy drinking.

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  8/16/2019 - idonotlikeliver wrote: 88 Points

  Drank pleasantly right away, but did open up a bit more after 30-45 minutes. Smokey notes on the finish initially, which dissipated as the wine breathed and softened. Nice for a long-aged wine. But also not any particular depth or distinct character. Paired well with mettwurst, and Spanish cheeses, as would be expected.

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  2/25/2019 - Mossrose wrote: 94 Points

  Started out with what every wine drinker hopes for - a flawless cork that is clean and supple. Opaque black to the edge with an inch pour. Inviting aromas of black cherry and a bouquet of red roses, Enters the mouth very smooth, deliciously fruity, and ample rounded acidity and tannin. The swallow glides down the throat. Magnificently enjoyable now or years later. So glad we own 2 magnums from one of the greatest vintages that Spain has seen. Tasting this side by side with the 2006 and 2010, neither matched the peak perfection of the 2001, with the 2010 having the most intrusive and least seamless tannin and oak.

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  7/14/2018 - idonotlikeliver Likes this wine: 89 Points

  Not sure if it was bottle variation or a recent move or being paired with things that didn't quite suit the wine, but this one felt a little flat in terms of being dry and without much depth. not lifeless, just maybe too closed at the moment. Flavors of coffee and dirt, with darker almost musty red fruit.

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View all 127 Community Tasting Notes

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