February 17, 2024 - Beautiful nose of ripe black cherries, rosemary, thyme and spring flowers as well as old, wine-soaked wood. Med-full bodied, the tannins are fully resolved in this wine and it needs to be drunk soon. The flavors of cherry, laurel leaves and charred wood are supported by tangy acidity that makes this an excellent companion at the table. Drink now 91
August 28, 2022 - Mea culpa. Not sure if I just misjudged the last bottle or there is bottle variation, but this, my second and last btl of the 01 Vina Aliaga, is spectacular. Gorgeous black cherry, porcini mushrooms, prunes, and tar. Incredible texture with a Musigny-like silkiness. This is really spot on and speaks to incredible care and meticulous winemaking. Very very nice!
July 4, 2022 - High hopes for this after so many years. It as perfectly lovely. Fully integrated tannins and a tangy ripe fruit profile. Not much depth IMO even after a good decant and a 2 hour dinner. Ready to drink but perhaps it needs even more air than I was able to give.
April 21, 2022 - As I love Zimmerman, I will give him the benefit of the doubt here, and assume that had I drunk this wine upon receipt 5 or so years ago it would have been in a slightly better or different place. I always drink '01s on April 21st (my daughter's bday/year), and today being her 21st and she is in absentia I was looking for something different than the usual claret (the "big" '01s are still being held for more special days ahead). I like this wine, I really do, and the more I drink the more I see that it is very fine and carefully made. It is unmistakably Spanish and stuffed with ripe black cherry tempranillo fruit, black olives, rosemary, fig paste, and just a little bitter cocoa on the back end. There is a silkiness here, yes, but it just doesn't quite live up to the '98 Figeac meets Vega Sicilia narrative that made me buy it. I went deep in the '98 Right Bank and this just doesn't have those chops. But this is really nice, has aged well (needs decanting for gobs of sediment), help up admirably, and provides quite a bit of pleasure now. I think I should have pulled the cork earlier and I will try to get the 2nd bottle shortly. For the price, this is ridiculously good!
January 30, 2022 - As noted previously, this has a touch of dried fruit character, but not too much. Paired nicely with chicken cacciatore. This is pretty smooth and still has plenty of fruit and energy. Doesn't taste over 20 years old. Probably no benefit from waiting on these, but I also don't think they go downhill soon. I'm extending the drinking window to 2024 and it may go past that.
October 16, 2021 - ABV: 13.5%. 70% Tempranillo & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Haven't had much experience with this type of blend, nor wines from this particular region. However, this bottle was very impressive and reminded me of a classic Rioja. I originally thought it was around 92 points upon opening, but then raised it to 94 points after it was opened for about 90 minutes. After tasting it again the following night (and finishing the bottle), I raised it two more points. At first, there were faint notes of red fruits mixed with herbs and spice, but the bouquet gradually expressed itself more and more as it opened up. Soon I was able to detect the floral notes and cigar box from the Tempranillo mixed with peppery notes and cassis from the Cab. The red fruits also became more pronounced, but everything was in a fine balance with nothing overpowering another. There was a umami-like finish (hence, my Rioja reference) that made you want to take another sip. The well-integrated acidity kept the wine perfectly intact over the past two decades, but the tannin level could probably use a little more time. Think I have another bottle or two so I'll keep it for another 5-10 years.
February 5, 2021 - Nice. Still in a proper middle age point in its life, it's got plenty of fruit and complexity.
August 21, 2020 - Drinking great. Very tasty.
June 14, 2020 - Light bodied with the tast of mineral, raspberry, herbs. Brick red, good acid. Interesting combination of tastes. But a darkness. Almost a nonsweet syrupiness. I wouldn’t rush out to buy more.
April 19, 2020 - Syrupy residue on cork, very dark color, blackberries and other dark fruits on the nose concentrated cherry and raspberry on the palate with a smooth finish