2/18/2011 - JoseLuis wrote:

Full bodied, black cherry color with purple rim. Very pleasant bouquet of blackcurrant, tobacco, plums and earth. In the palate it shows an amazing concentration of ripe black fruits, framed by flavours of oak, chocolate and spices. Has big chewy tannins and a crisp acidity. Good length. Cellaring should add balance and complexity to this excellent wine.

2/12/2011 - JoseLuis wrote:

Full bodied, dark cherry color with purple rim. Aromas of cassis, plums, oak and earth, and flavours of black fruits, oak, plums, figs and clove. Has a crisp acidity, while both the tannins and the alcohol remain a little harsh for my personal taste. Good length.

8/21/2010 - JoseLuis wrote:

Full bodied, purple color. Nose of flower, earth, figs and oak. Flavours of oak, plum, blackberries, chocolate and spice. Austere and astringent, medium length. Lacks acidity, which makes me think twice about further cellaring this wine.

1/15/2010 - JoseLuis wrote:

Medium bodied, purple color. Nose of plum, coffee, leather and earth. Palate shows sweet overripe black fruit and oak, muted by a high acidity. Brief length. Poor P/Q value.

9/14/2010 - JoseLuis wrote:

Full bodied, deep ruby color. Bouquet of flowers, cherries, wood and earth. Flavours of oak, dark cherries, chocolate and spices. Fresh and intense, but lacks depth and balance. I missed that distinct "old vine" aftertaste i usually associate with renowned single vineyard wines from Duero.

5/12/2012 - JoseLuis wrote:

A personal favorite. Full bodied, dark cherry colour. Aromas of chocolate, blackberries, cassis, herbs and spices. The palate showcases ripe black fruits, oak, plums, pepper and a hint of earthiness.
Seemed and bit more restrained than previous bottles of this same vintages. Tannins are still a bit agressive. Will last a decade and keep improving.

6/16/2011 - JoseLuis wrote:

Medium bodied, ruby coloured. A very intense bouquet of blackcurrant, cassis, flowers and nutmeg. Ripe black fruit, old vines, chocolate and herbs on the palate. Soft tannins and good length. Elegant and balanced, yet, not as exciting as i expected. Both sassicaia and vega have lacked a bit of concentraton in the vintages i have tasted.

8/19/2010 - JoseLuis wrote:

Full bodied, purplish colour. Aromas of cherry liquor, cassis, chocolate and mint. The palate shows concentration, yet lacks depth and balance. Flavours of fresh red fruit, herbs and chocolate. A very good example of a "parkerized" wine.

10/15/2011 - JoseLuis wrote:

The first approach to my sassicaia 2005 case. Medium to light bodied, dark cherry color. A muted nose hinting leather, earth, herbs and figs. Very balanced an elegant on the palate, yet still restrained, highly acid and astringent. Flavours of black fruits, old vines, cassis and herbs. Good length. I´m hopeful for this to improve A LOT through the next decade.

3/17/2012 - JoseLuis wrote:

Another very interesting wine. Medium bodied, purplish colour. Nose of wood, chocolate, coffee, cinammon and spices. Flavours of ripe red fruit, vanilla, peppermint and oak. Very smooth tannins, yet the wine seems to demand additional cellaring time. Culmen marries old school rioja´s elegance and subtlety with amazing fruit concentration (typical of modern style wines).

5/14/2010 - JoseLuis wrote:

Medium bodied, black cherry color. Aromas of cherries, dried leaves, wet earth, wood and herbs. The palate is still very closed and astringent, delivering flavours of chocolate, vanilla, figs and herbs.
Very dry and tannic. Nowhere near ready to drink.

5/24/2011 - JoseLuis wrote:

Full bodied, and purplish color. There is so much going on both the nose and the palate, that i´ll certainly do a poor work describing. Magnificent bouquet of flowers, herbs, earth, oak and plum. The palate tastes of blackberry, cherries, clove, vanilla, peppermint and chocolate. Everything perfectly integrated under fresh acidity and chewy tannins. Very long afertaste.
While Valderramiro is monolithic and powerful, Sanchomartin is balanced, elegant and incredibly rich. This is the stuff dreams are made of.

5/24/2010 - JoseLuis wrote:

Big and bold. Full body and purplish color. Aromas of blackberry, oak, leather, coffee and earth. Immense concentration and fleshy texture, with taste of figs, blackberry, cherries, wood and spices. Long aftertaste. Both tannins and alcohol are very agressive at this point, but nevertheless, i was very impressed. I´ll try again at ten years vintage age.

6/8/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Medium bodied. Cherry, flowers and vanilla on the nose. Tannins are lively, yet the wine has a graceful and seamless texture. Offers complex flavors of chocolate, ripe red fruits, and spices. Medium length. Drink.

6/8/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Deep ruby color, medium bodied. Aromas of cherry liquor, cassis and vanilla. Intense flavours of cherries, currant, toasted oak, and mint. Silky tannins; complex and long.

5/4/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Medium bodied. Chocolate, earth, and herbs on the nose. Tastes of overripe black fruit, herbs and oak. Balanced and elegant, with good length. Improved throughout 2 hours of dinner.

4/12/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Thin body. Aromas of overripe red fruit, oak and leather. Harsh tannis and high acidity mute most of the fruit.

4/12/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Light bodied, ruby colored. Nose of ripe berries, anise, and clove. Austere and acid on the palate, with tastes of red fruit, wood, and anise. The smell was a better experience than the actual tasting.

4/7/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Deep ruby colored. Aromas of cherry liquor, a hint of vanilla and pepper. Offers spicy, ripe fruit flavors, with high acidity and chewy tannins. Medium bodied and a bit short on length.

3/1/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Medium bodied, cherry colored. Fresh red fruits, pepper and plum on the nose. Very fruity and sweet, with good acidity to keep it from being cloying. Plum and fig aftertaste.

2/29/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

Medium bodied, purple colored. Cassis, blackberry, and black pepper on the nose. Intense flavours of black fruits, chocolate, cassis and peppermint. Nice concentration, chewy tannins and medium length.

1/8/2010 - JoseLuis wrote:

Recommended by wine spectator with a 93 rating, I must say I was a little disappointed.
Light bodied, ruby colored. Shy on the nose with blackberry, blueberry and a hint of coffee and nutmeg .Overripe red fruit, spices and oak on the palate. Acidic, with soft tannins and a brief length.

1/8/2008 - JoseLuis wrote:

A very exciting wine. Dark and plush, full-bodied. Shows blackberry, black currant, black pepper and tobacco aromas. Intense, dry, oaky and spicy; undearneath a very impressive concentration of black fruit.
Tannins start a bit aggressive, but mellow after a couple of hours. An excellent example of a powerful and complex Toro wine.