Very heady, with a VA-laden red fruit and earth nose. Lighter-bodied, surprisingly so actually. High pitched, somewhat distracting acidity to the palate. Not up to the last bottle I had.
Everything I remember from a few years ago. A really pretty sour red cherry fruit profile and dusty, earth-driven notes. Super bright acidity to the palate. Seamless, and still shockingly youthful. As acyso said, this would pass for a 15-20 year old wine without trouble. Delicious.
A bit darker, and more svelte than the '25 enjoyed next to this, but probably not quite its equal in depth. Clean, and surprisingly youthful with sweet black cherry fruits and a wonderful palate presence. Few seams and great weight. Ageless.
Verdict is corked, but some pretty dark fruits and spice notes poke through a bit. It's a shame these have been so variable as there is good raw material here.
A bit leaner in style, and reasonably consistent with my last bottle. Fading a touch, in that the remnants of oak and a lighter body out-compete the red fruit hints that are left.
Great aromatics - dark spice and orange peel notes along with classic red fruit and dill. Good balance in and in a really nice place, with more body than the older wines and better resolution and depth than the younger ones. Very nice.
Forward and showing a good bit of oak overlaying bright red fruits. Still has a touch of medium-grain tannins drowned out by a really high pitched acidic tanginess. Still a bit young at this stage.
A different animal from almost every other wine in today's lineup. Really dark fruit, with a forward, spicy profile overlaying classic LRA dill. Very young, but the density balances things out and makes it a better choice than some for the near-term.
2001 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 85 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Very heady, with a VA-laden red fruit and earth nose. Lighter-bodied, surprisingly so actually. High pitched, somewhat distracting acidity to the palate. Not up to the last bottle I had.
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2004 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Far more giving than a '01 enjoyed next to this. Almost cabernet-like in it's density. Earthy, red fruit notes. Still very young.
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1925 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 98 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Everything I remember from a few years ago. A really pretty sour red cherry fruit profile and dusty, earth-driven notes. Super bright acidity to the palate. Seamless, and still shockingly youthful. As acyso said, this would pass for a 15-20 year old wine without trouble. Delicious.
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1942 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 97 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
A bit darker, and more svelte than the '25 enjoyed next to this, but probably not quite its equal in depth. Clean, and surprisingly youthful with sweet black cherry fruits and a wonderful palate presence. Few seams and great weight. Ageless.
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1959 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Verdict is corked, but some pretty dark fruits and spice notes poke through a bit. It's a shame these have been so variable as there is good raw material here.
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1962 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
A bit leaner in style, and reasonably consistent with my last bottle. Fading a touch, in that the remnants of oak and a lighter body out-compete the red fruit hints that are left.
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1978 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 94 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Great aromatics - dark spice and orange peel notes along with classic red fruit and dill. Good balance in and in a really nice place, with more body than the older wines and better resolution and depth than the younger ones. Very nice.
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1987 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 93 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Forward and showing a good bit of oak overlaying bright red fruits. Still has a touch of medium-grain tannins drowned out by a really high pitched acidic tanginess. Still a bit young at this stage.
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1987 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Much lighter, more cranberry red fruit and tartness than either the 890 or Ardanza served next to this. Pretty. Mature, forward wine.
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1987 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Different animal from the 890 and 904, with more animale, raw flavors and spice notes. Still very alive however, and a great bargain.
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1985 Pol Roger Champagne Vintage Brut 92 Points
France, Champagne
I liked this more than most. A deep golden collar and bold, oxidative styling. Darker citrus notes compete a bit with the autolytic flavors. Mature.
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1994 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 94 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Sweet sour cherry notes. Full bodied, and nice depth with the classic LRA dill still in the front. Lots going on here.
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1998 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
A different animal from almost every other wine in today's lineup. Really dark fruit, with a forward, spicy profile overlaying classic LRA dill. Very young, but the density balances things out and makes it a better choice than some for the near-term.
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2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 890 'Selección Especial'
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Some corked hints amid dark fruit and a slightly green, overtly oaky frame.
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