Decent aromatics. It's pretty easy to peg this as an older white, but it's still kicking. Slightly oxidized. Not much left in the way of fruit. Interesting, in that mature, minerally way, and the wine is still balanced, but it still seems like a shell of a wine to me. 82-84
Cedery, mature nose, which is quite enjoyable. Lots going on in the medium bodied palate, including spices, ceder, and red fruits. Great acidity, and this is really well structured. Medium+ finish. Very nice to drink, and in a good spot right now.
I'm pretty sure this is my first wine from CVNE. Made in a riper style then the Arienzo. Lots of red fruits and ceder again. Enjoyable. Much like the previous wine except riper and not quite as elegant or as well balanced. 89-90
This was a nice excerise in drinking these three wines. I like this wine, but I don't see how anyone could give this 95 points, or how anyone would be happy dropping a hundred dollars for this. My co worker and I both thought it was a $30-40 bottle of wine. But off the soap box. Dark purple color. Completely modern. Not a lot of signs that this is either tempranillo or from spain. Full of ripe dark fruits, some clove, and vanilla. Very extracted. Huge tannins, but they are smooth. It's all power and muscle. 88+
Spain, Andalucía, Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda
I am unable to appreciate or enjoy fino sherry, but I can get jiggy with this stuff. Odd nose, maybe if you put a lemon into a dirty sock? But on the palate, this is so smooth, and interesting as well. Very fun wine. 87-89
1990 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia 83 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Decent aromatics. It's pretty easy to peg this as an older white, but it's still kicking. Slightly oxidized. Not much left in the way of fruit. Interesting, in that mature, minerally way, and the wine is still balanced, but it still seems like a shell of a wine to me. 82-84
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1998 Marqués de Arienzo Rioja Gran Reserva 91 Points
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Cedery, mature nose, which is quite enjoyable. Lots going on in the medium bodied palate, including spices, ceder, and red fruits. Great acidity, and this is really well structured. Medium+ finish. Very nice to drink, and in a good spot right now.
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2000 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Contino Reserva 89 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
I'm pretty sure this is my first wine from CVNE. Made in a riper style then the Arienzo. Lots of red fruits and ceder again. Enjoyable. Much like the previous wine except riper and not quite as elegant or as well balanced. 89-90
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2005 Finca Allende Rioja Calvario 88 Points
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
This was a nice excerise in drinking these three wines. I like this wine, but I don't see how anyone could give this 95 points, or how anyone would be happy dropping a hundred dollars for this. My co worker and I both thought it was a $30-40 bottle of wine. But off the soap box.
Dark purple color. Completely modern. Not a lot of signs that this is either tempranillo or from spain. Full of ripe dark fruits, some clove, and vanilla. Very extracted. Huge tannins, but they are smooth. It's all power and muscle. 88+
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