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Comments on my notes

(11 comments on 7 notes)

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Red
2002 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo
12/16/2015 - Whistler Whino wrote:
flawed
I'm really not sure what's going on here with this LdH Tondonia. I tried this straight from the bottle, after and hour in a decanter and again after 6 hours in the decanter. A bad bottle perhaps or just implications of a tough 2002 Rioja vintage? A foggy, deep garnet color with some orange on the rim. A muted nose with only slight notes of tea leaves, smoke and red cherry. Rough and rustic red fruits on the palate combined with an astringent mid palate and finish.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    12/18/15, 2:16 PM - Same happened to me. I opened one during Thanksgiving week. I bought it on WTSO. The other ones were fine. Undrinkable.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    12/19/15, 8:33 AM - I like WTSO. Have been using it for years and obtain most of my wine through them. Great customer service and only a few times have I received flawed bottles. Small percentage given the amount I have purchased.

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Red
2002 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo
6/20/2015 - pavel_p Does not like this wine:
88 points
Pulled cork 30 min before dinner at home (but could not decant), and drank over 1.5h. Garnet color showing little evolution. Fairly prominent oxidative notes on nose and palate, similar to what you get sometimes in 20+ year old Sangiovese. Some oak, herbs. Fairly pronounced acidity on the finish, which is of short to medium length.
First time having Lopez de Heredia and not a fan of the style.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    6/20/15, 1:53 PM - 2002 was not a good year for Rioja. It was a terrible weather year.
    if you ever have the opportunity to try the 2001 then you would be tasting a different wine. I have a few of the 2002 but have tried the 2001 a few times and it is superior. They are one of the oldest wine makers in Rioja.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    6/20/15, 2:24 PM - DK: I have had a different experience with the 2001 and felt it was superior. Individual bottles and taste often differ. thanks for responding and I was in Copenhagen for two days a few years ago and I loved it. Take care and enjoy your wine.....

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Red
2002 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo
6/6/2015 - Beerzebub Likes this wine:
P&p; awkward at first, but drinking well with 2.5 hours of air in the bottle. Aromas of sour cherry and barrel, with a bare hint of VA (which works well), and good savory depth and pungency; nice mix of fresh/juicy and oxidative/old barrel/leathery/gamy elements. Gets even better after 4 or 5 hours; fresh and pretty, with floral and clean earthy notes developing. Similar on the palate, with good balance between pleasantly/moderately rich fresh fruit, tart acidity, understated oak barrel, and aged/meaty/savory notes. I haven't had previous vintages, so can't compare; in any case, this is full of character and typicity, and is quite enjoyable. Paired well with seared pork kidney with liberal black pepper and hot mustard.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    6/8/15, 7:11 AM - If you ever have the opportunity to try the 2001, do not hesitate. It is the quintessential Rioja wine. The 2002 is pretty good but that was not a good year for Rioja. 2001 was a great year and this wine is the perfect example of it. Thanks for you note.

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Red
2002 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia Tempranillo Blend, Tempranillo
4/6/2015 - Gooka Likes this wine:
91 points
Absolutely delicious medium bodied red with some complexities. Drinking well now. This was a real treat with lamb roast. Need to buy more.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    4/8/15, 6:00 PM - I also had it with lamb. I made some lamb chops for easter Saturday dinner. I was expecting more given that the 2001 and 2000 are amazing vintages. This is not as good but still nice. If you ever get a chance to try 2001 it is very good.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    4/10/15, 11:22 AM - I have trouble describing the difference but all I can say is that if you ever have an opportunity to try the 2001, make sure you do. It is a whole other level of delicious. I see you live in Finland. Not sure the availability but check it out. I have had the 2001 at restaurants in both CHicago and San Diego and not been disappointed. I was in Finland two years ago for a day as our cruise ship spent the day in Helsinki. Lovely city.

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Red
2012 Saxum James Berry Vineyard Paso Robles Red Rhone Blend
11/13/2014 - shadow wrote:
98 points
The nose is inviting, ink stained licorice, hint of cigar smoke, asphalt dropped afar.
Take a sip, bright, leather, little tin on the finish.
Another sip, big fruit splashing, liquid drips from the tongue warming the throat.
Back to the nose, it blending together, fog of wine, ripe, sublime.
Another sip, tasty shit, with a crisp bitterness
No regrets, expectations met.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    11/14/14, 11:04 AM - Just received my shipment yesterday. They had a note saying to wait a few months but from the sounds of it the wine is ready. Love the review and it is going to be difficult to wait after reading it.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    11/15/14, 10:44 AM - That is what I suspected and glad to know that is your reputation. Very much appreciate the sacrifice people make to assist others.

Comment (See all 3 comments)
Red
2006 Bodegas y Viñedos San Roman Toro Viña San Román Tinta de Toro, Tempranillo
4/16/2013 - JVG wrote:
Color: Very deep and dark. Opaque plum at the center and purplish magenta at the rim.

Nose: Explosive, heady nose that is both hugely concentrated and extremely savory. More than anything else, this wine smells like pork; a mixture of bacon/pork belly, roasted Christmas ham, and baby back ribs slathered in hickory barbecue sauce. It's wild how exactly this smells like pig meat. Along with that are notes of balsamic, charcoal and wood smoke, leather, and some earth. With air, you get some sweet and Asian spice, teriyaki, and a little bit of tobacco/herb and dried flowers. There's really not much fruit, but maybe a hint of brambly blueberry/blackberry.

Mouthfeel: Huge, firm, and broadly knit, almost grainy.

Palate: Truly barbaric. Just a massive, brawny, meaty monster of a wine. Follows through with exactly what the nose would lead you to expect. If you put a barbecue pulled pork sandwich in a blender with teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a few dark berries, ristretto espresso, and alcohol, you would get something like this. Enormous concentration, powerful and perceptible alcohol, and a powerfully dry, scorched-earth finish that tastes like lava and the end of the world.

One thing's for sure: this is polarizing wine. It's in a style that I generally disdain in that it's massive and alcoholic and is closer to being food itself than to being food-friendly (maybe get yourself a super-rich cheese, or the biggest porterhouse you can get your hands on, or just go with the flow and eat barbecue), but that being said, it's not anonymous and confected like so many smoothie-esque fruit bombs. It has real complexity and what seems to me a sense of place (although I don't have enough experience with Toro to know if it's really characteristic or not), and I can't deny that the meaty, earthy flavors appeal to me, even if the alcohol and weight don't. So I guess I don't know which pole I stand on. I really can't say whether I love it or hate it.

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    4/17/13, 5:25 PM - love you ability to put into words this wine that I love. Great job. I have not opened up one in about two years but will soon.

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Red
2005 Bodegas y Viñedos San Roman Toro Viña San Román Tinta de Toro, Tempranillo
12/10/2012 - redman77 wrote:
I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time. I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time.
I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time. I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time.
I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time. I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time.
I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time. I must decant for 2+ hours before I drink next time.
I am an idiot this is NOT pnp. Score withheld but a great structure still with powerful tannis

  • vinotintoiowa commented:

    12/10/12, 7:03 PM - Dear REDMAN77 - on 10/24/10 you loved the wine after a FOUR hour decant. Follow your own advice. "I must read my past tasting notes"
    "I must read my past tasting notes"
    "I must read my past tasting notes"
    "I must read my past tasting notes"
    "I must read my past tasting notes"
    "I must read my past tasting notes"

    It is a great wine and is not an impulse PNP.

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