7/17/2017 - fdiaz wrote:

Still alive with a very delicate mature bouquet and palate. Floral and red fruit aromas along with more mature earth and herbal notes. Silky texture. We enjoyed it!

10/28/2017 - fdiaz Likes this wine:

Beautiful velvety texture and concentration of fruit. Perfectly balanced.

1/23/2011 - fdiaz Likes this wine:

Great wine. Velvety texture and nice concentration of red fruit flavors with hints of clove. Perfectly balanced. Wished I had bought more because it is going to age beautifully but was able to enjoy it as is.

4/9/2010 - fdiaz wrote:

Third time I taste this wine and I definitely need to get more. This is an elegant expression of modern Rioja at a great great price. Plum, smoke, earth and tons of minerality show up on the nose but what differentiates this wine from many other modern Riojas at this and even higher price range is its amazing silky texture. The noticeable but so nicely balanced acidity would make this a great food wine. Wish I could buy and save a case or 2. I recently tasted all of Muga's US market wines and this one definitely stood out. Of course some of the higher end ones are great too but they can be a bit over the top for my palate and they definitely need time to come together; this one is ready to drink.

1/31/2010 - fdiaz wrote:

This is one of the best, if not the best good value in big wine I've had all year. The nose has plum, some spice, but the minerality let's you know that some elegance is also part of the package. On the palate the texture is so, so silky that again, it feels elegant even though it is a big boy. Nice concentrated black fruit flavors but so well complemented by firm tannins and a noticeable acidity. This is a great well balanced wine at a great price. Very impressed.

1/27/2010 - fdiaz wrote:

Was initially impressed with the nose. Nice milk chocolate and vanilla notes along with some cherry and hints of herbs. Thought the palate was a bit one dimensional and although I thought it lost its charm after a couple of hours, i very much appreciated the silky texture. Was surprised with how mild the tannins were. Will definitely last longer but I think it is drinking well right now. Drinks more like a Ribera del Duero than a Rioja.

4/12/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

This was very closed on the nose. After 2 hours in the bottle could detect hints of herbs along with minerality and very fresh fruit. Amazing velvety texture almost syrupy with clear cherry flavors integrated acidity and firm tannins. Probably the most round, concentrated Barbera I have had but very one dimensional. Tasty and accesible. I am glad i tried it but do not think I would pay around $50 for it because simple and closed nose. Then again, it is a different expression of Barbera and tasty, so I am sure many would enjoy despite its simplicity.

4/10/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

Jean really enjoyed it because it had the "smell she likes": Remember it having black sherry, cola, hint of herbs and maybe some clove on nose. Very well balanced, well made Pinot Noir and a good value. Would get again.

4/11/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

Did not take any formal notes and do not remember much about the nose but do remember it being extremely well balanced and with a medium bodied velvety texture. Went fine with the leg of lamb.

4/5/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

Jean really really enjoyed this Sparkling... Simple on nose with apple and hints of toast but so so so tasty and balanced..... would like to retry next to the Gloria Ferrer Brut from Sonoma, which is so so nice

3/28/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

Didnt't take any notes at the moment but I do remember it didn't have a complex nose yet was much more elegant on the palate than I expected. Nice balance and texure, so well made very tasty wine, just not too complex on nose. Enjoyed it though

3/18/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

The nose is pretty closed at right now but get the typical italian combination of earth, leather, chocolate and dark ripe fruits. The aromas are old world but the palate is very fruity and pleasant: medium bodied and elegant with nice acidity. Not crazy about it because of the nose but an extremely well balanced and tasty wine. well made

3/9/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

I have loved this wine the past 2-3 times I had it but today felt it was so so closed. Not much on nose but some plum and blackcurrant. Nice acidity and firm tannins with a somewhat woody finish. Some red fruit on palate. After about 2 1/2 hrs some more fruit aromas like blueberry and a hint of oxidized finish?
Maybe it is entering a dumb phase but I clearly enjoyed this wine much more in the past. Because of the nice structure and price, should keep a bottle for a few years and try again.

2/26/2009 - fdiaz wrote:

My first Italian Lagrein. I did not take notes at the time so do not remember the details but remember enjoying and being impressed with the body and texture of this wine. Med-full bodied with a velvety texture yet nicely balanced acidity. However the finish was a bit too bitter for my taste. I do remember some nice floral aromas. Good wine, not crazy about it, but want to try some more lagrein based wines from the region.

4/5/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

Lots of minerality (wet stone) and flowers on the nose; I thought violets, Jean thought it was more like roses. The nose itself made my night; beautiful bouquet. After an hour blackberry with hints of smoke and orange rind became apparent on the nose. On the palate the wine is full bodied yet elegant and with great texture(satin like; heavier than silk, lighter than velvet). This is a great wine. Jean said she would buy a case of this and that it's definitely worth the $37 price tag.

3/22/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

I truly enjoyed this wine. Medium bodied with a velvety feel. Had it before and during a miso glazed salmon dinner and was tasty all throughout. Remember the nose having some black cherry and hint of toast. Not too complex yet accesible and very very very enjoyable. Jean didnt particularly love it since she likes the fruitier style ones.

3/22/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

When first opened there was a lot of oak on the nose. However as time passed creamy bluberries and vanilla became evident. Felt creamy and velvety on the palate, very well balanced. Nice wine that went great with the leg of lamb. However it has so much power and good structure that it definitely needs time to develop. After 2 hours in the decanter it was still opening up. Should buy another bottle to try a few years from now.

3/16/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

Drank this blind with Jean alongside a 2001 Cune. Nose reminds me of the 96' Lopez de Heredia. Black cherry?, hint of wood, hint of licorice. On the palate it is very well-balanced. Med-bodied with a long long finish, probably licorice. Nice wine but the dark cherry/licorice aromas are not exactly my type. Jean thought it was woody, oaky and vanilla.

11/1/2007 - fdiaz wrote:

Opened it up and reminded me of an Australian Shiraz but less out there, more refrained. I would say plum, cherry and raspberry along with a nice touch of coffee. Also a hint of pepper and some minerality. After some time in the glass it's all raspberry. But wow, what a texture for the price ($11.99). A great buy

2/14/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

Had super high expectations for this wine, yet even after over an hour in the glass, very strong menthol aromas. Jean definitely didn't enjoy it. Yet, I could begin to detect fruit aromas. The palate is definitely velvety and powerful yet with an acidity that keeps it somewhat elegant. This definitely needs some time to come together.

A day after, the menthol is gone. Can detect some raspberry, along w/ coffee and chocolate aromas. On the palate very fruity raspberry flavors. Would try again given the opportunity in over a year from now.

2/1/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

At the beginning all barnyard. After some time in glass, blackberry, hint of cherry and pure earthiness. On the palate very smooth and pleasant. A nice wine.

1/1/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

Wow, loved this. So delicate, a very elegant medium bodied wine with nice balanced acidity. Notes of cherry, even some chocolate and coffee. Jean and I had some 2 days after opening and it was more complex than the 2005 PianCornello Rosso di Montalcino we had opened. Amazing value at $9.99

2/1/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

I was very skeptical about a Cali tempranillo. Was expecting a disaster but was pleasantly surprised. Nothing complex and lacking the non-fruit aromas present in traditional Riojas and Ribera del Duero but it was very very tasty and accessible. Lots of cherry with a hint of pepper on the nose. Nice fruity balanced wine.

2/8/2008 - fdiaz wrote:

This is definitely a great delicate and balanced wine. So so balanced. Nice pepper and flowers with a hint of plum and some raspberry on the nose. On the palate it felt silky. Probably the best Syrah based cotes du rhone I have had. I think the nose was more complex than the 2005 Chave Crozes-Hermitage. Jean thought it felt like a sophisticated beaujolais. A great wine. Bought another bottle to drink in the summer.