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Rioja & Ribera-del-Duero tasting
Ester restaurant, Yehud, Israel
Tasted December 6, 2015 by Yagil with 259 views
Introduction
It was meant to be originally a Rioja & Ribera-del-Duero tasting soirée, a first step towards a Rioja & Ribera-del-Duero wine tour.
Since two participants didn't have a Rioja & Ribera-del-Duero wine to contribute - the 2 last bottles were presented instead.
Flight 1 (7 notes)
Red
1994 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia
92 points
dark translucent red-brown, darker than the usual Tondonia GR
classic earthy-fruity aroma with light spicy notes
surprisingly medium-full bodied, unlike my previous experience with any Tondonia GR, well balanced, very good harmony, nicely structured, solid fruity-earthy flavours, medium length finish, very good aftertaste.
classic earthy-fruity aroma with light spicy notes
surprisingly medium-full bodied, unlike my previous experience with any Tondonia GR, well balanced, very good harmony, nicely structured, solid fruity-earthy flavours, medium length finish, very good aftertaste.
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Comment
Red
1998 Emina Ribera del Duero 12 Meses
90 points
dark translucent red-brown
rustic earthy-fruity aroma with sous-bois notes
medium bodied, soft tannins, fair balance and harmony, quite impressing for a 17 years old Crianza, beyond my expectations. quite enjoyable.
rustic earthy-fruity aroma with sous-bois notes
medium bodied, soft tannins, fair balance and harmony, quite impressing for a 17 years old Crianza, beyond my expectations. quite enjoyable.
Red
2004 Bodegas Ismael Arroyo Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva Val Sotillo
93 points
dark translucent red-brown
nose: intense, rich, earthy & ripe fruits, already tertiary aromas - makes you want to continue sniffing for very long minutes, until your lungs are full with its sensuality.
palate with rich youthful intensity, powerful fruitiness, dark cherries, tobacco, savoury earth, subtle smokiness, long enjoying finish. gives you a feeling of a well integrated, perfectly balanced & harmonised wine. great value for money.
still at its infancy and can last many more years.
nose: intense, rich, earthy & ripe fruits, already tertiary aromas - makes you want to continue sniffing for very long minutes, until your lungs are full with its sensuality.
palate with rich youthful intensity, powerful fruitiness, dark cherries, tobacco, savoury earth, subtle smokiness, long enjoying finish. gives you a feeling of a well integrated, perfectly balanced & harmonised wine. great value for money.
still at its infancy and can last many more years.
Red
2001 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial
92 points
dark translucent red-brown
developed secondary aromas of wet-earth, leather and spices that become present 1-2 hours from uncorking
balanced tannins and bitterness, good level of acidity, good harmony, nice combination of fruitiness and other flavors, complex and rich, fine and qualitative wine. Should be aerated 2 hours prior to consumption. Still young and powerful with ample fruits.
This bottle was kept in very good condition.
developed secondary aromas of wet-earth, leather and spices that become present 1-2 hours from uncorking
balanced tannins and bitterness, good level of acidity, good harmony, nice combination of fruitiness and other flavors, complex and rich, fine and qualitative wine. Should be aerated 2 hours prior to consumption. Still young and powerful with ample fruits.
This bottle was kept in very good condition.
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Comment
Red
2005 Liberalia Toro Liber Gran Reserva
93 points
uncorked 5 hours prior to consuming
dark translucent red-black
quality dark fruits aroma with earthy-meaty notes
full bodied, firm round tannins, dark fruity balanced flavours, excellent harmony, sold structure, fairly complexed, fungus, smoked ham, spicy, powerful, a great wine to enjoy.
can age further 5-10 years. requires decanting.
dark translucent red-black
quality dark fruits aroma with earthy-meaty notes
full bodied, firm round tannins, dark fruity balanced flavours, excellent harmony, sold structure, fairly complexed, fungus, smoked ham, spicy, powerful, a great wine to enjoy.
can age further 5-10 years. requires decanting.
Red
2002 Costers del Siurana Priorat Clos de L'Obac
92 points
Dark translucent red purple
Intense powerful ripe fruity aromas
Powerful full bodied, firm tannins, good acidity, very good harmony, highly matured fruits, long rich ending.
can age further 10-15 years.
Intense powerful ripe fruity aromas
Powerful full bodied, firm tannins, good acidity, very good harmony, highly matured fruits, long rich ending.
can age further 10-15 years.
Red
2003 Margalit Enigma
90 points
P&P
dark opaque red-black
dark fruits quality tertiary aroma with sous-bois & leather notes
soft integrated tannins, good acidity level, smooth fruity layer, well balanced, excellent harmony, subtle spicy-veggie notes, chocolate hint, fair structure, medium complexity, quite enjoyable, seems to be at peak.
dark opaque red-black
dark fruits quality tertiary aroma with sous-bois & leather notes
soft integrated tannins, good acidity level, smooth fruity layer, well balanced, excellent harmony, subtle spicy-veggie notes, chocolate hint, fair structure, medium complexity, quite enjoyable, seems to be at peak.
Closing
It was a very enjoyable evening, from the wines experience aspect, food, and mostly by the group, which formed a social bond.