Community Tasting Notes 1

• thelinebreak wrote: 87 points

  June 18, 2011 - This tasting compares the 2007 with the 2008.
  
  I first found the Codice Viño de la Tierra de Castilla 2008 at Hannaford Farms in Rutland, VT. I opened a bottle one night at my girlfriend’s father’s and stepmother’s house. Everyone enjoyed the wine. Even those who rarely drink wine wanted more. That was a good night of wine drinking.
  
  I then became curious as to what was in the wine. The bottle only says “Red Table Wine,” so I assumed that meant a blend. I did some research to find out it is 100% Tempranillo. No wonder I liked it so much.
  
  Later I found out there was a 2007 that had received some good reviews. However, not much has been said of the 2008, so I’ll be one of the first.
  
  And now it’s time to let the battle begin.
  
  All right guys. Clink glasses and come out drinking.
  
  They both come out fighting and showing their colors, which are very similar – dark cherry, but the 2007 is darker. The 2007 is about 98% opaque while the 2008 is about 93% opaque. And, yes, the opaqueness is accurately measured with the best equipment we have here at the The Line Break – my eyes.
  
  The first round is a draw 10-10, though if pushed it would give it to the 2008. A Tempranillo shouldn’t be this dark, at least I don’t think so.
  
  Round Two: The Nose
  
  It’s time for the noses. The 2007 is dark and with odors of some place deep in a forest where it’s moist and muddy. I also get subtle hints of dark cherries, raisins, and vanilla. The girlfriend picks up chocolate and hints of raisins. The 2008 smells like a lighter version of the 2007, but instead, it’s a cedar forest. There is also more sweetness and fruitiness and definitely more plums. The girlfriend gets lots of alcohol on the nose along with some blackberries.
  
  Ding ding.
  
  The girlfriend scores the second round 7-6 in favor of 2007. I score it 8-7 in favor of the 2008.
  
  This round is also a draw.
  
  Round Three. The Tasting.
  
  The 2007 is dry in the mouth. Dry and grainy. It tastes dark like dark cherries along a dusty dirt road. I also get some spiciness. The finish is also quite dry. Dry and chalky. The girlfriend gets a savory, weird flavor like the spicy batter on battered shrimp. She also picks up a hint of shrimp. She thinks the finish is bland with some tartness.
  
  The 2008 is lighter and livelier. It has more fruit and is a bit more juicy. It finishes with alcohol, but not in a hot way. There are more cherries in this one. It’s also thinner on the finish than the 2007. My girlfriend got nothing. It is sour with no distinct flavors. It is kind of watery. She picks up no finish.
  
  Ding ding.
  
  The girlfriend scores it 7-4 in favor of the 2007. I score it 8-7 in favor of the 2007
  
  Ding ding ding. And that’s the end of the battle. Who wins?
  
  The girlfriend scores it 7-6 in favor of the 2007.
  
  I score it 8-7 in favor of the 2008.
  
  If I were to give them typical point totals, I’d give them both an 87.
  
  The weird thing is that the 2008 was tremendous before, but now it kinda disappoints. I have noticed inconsistencies in the 2008. That is, I just purchased a case, and some of the bottles taste like what I just described, but some are much better.
  
  In any event, the 2007 and 2008 are not at all similar, but they both rank equally as well. Both cost $10. You can definitely find better for $10. However, when the 2008 is on, it’s on!
  
  For a full review, see: http://thelinebreak.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/in-pursuit-of-the-juiciest-wine-day-ninety-five/

  Comment

Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2008
• Type Red
• Producer Dominio de Eguren
• Varietal Tempranillo
• Designation Codice
• Vineyard n/a
• Country Spain
• Region Castilla-La Mancha
• SubRegion n/a
• Appellation Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 12 (50%)
• Consumed 12 (50%)

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