April 5, 2024 - Just a suggestion: I had one of these last week, and it's holding up fairly well, but definitely fading. No need to wait. The average rating here is probably on the nose, maybe deduct a point at current drinking experience. Dinner guests were in agreement that this rioja reserva was holding up a little better than another kind of the same vintage that we consumed in comparison.
October 17, 2023 - This is a pleasant, easy going wine, with ripe, soft fruit, nicely rounded, with a little oak and benefiting from its extended bottle aging.
March 20, 2022 - First time with this vintage since about a year ago. I dug one out of the chiller that has been cellaring for about 9 months after I'd grabbed a handful as they disappeared from PA shelves. If memory serves me correctly, the edges seem more rounded out this time around. The nose is initially subdued, presenting mostly oak and black pepper with some vanilla in the background. Slow-forming, irregular tearing leaves wide fingers on the glass. A few swirls reveal some herbal undertones.
The palate is silky smooth: Dry with a hint of tobacco underneath a basis of sour cherry and earth that is transported through a vehicle of firm yet somewhat refined tannins that present gradually on the midpalate and linger through the finish. Pleasantly rustic: Not a lot going on, but not without character, either. Definitely a treat if you like oak.
I don't think you'll get much more out of this one, and it seems that, generally speaking, low-end 2014 reservas may be reaching their peak. Don't let the subdued review fool you, though. I think I picked this up on sale for about $10, and even at retail value of $14, it punches well above its price point. A steal if you can still find it. Best enjoyed with a solid pairing, though. Braised lamb shanks were a real treat.
March 2, 2022 - I dont understand that people complain that this is oaky; its a Rioja Reserva, they are oaky. And this is actually on the old school style, not so jammy and vanilla coconutty etc. Its thin, but I actually dont mind, this is a rustical old world vino. Very dry, Leatherry, earthy. Not very complex or mind blowing but a good qpr
November 30, 2021 - Smooth cherry and a hint of baking spice with toasty oak tannins. Simple but versatile. Paired well with chicken and chorizo paella but could easily stand up to stronger flavors.
July 23, 2021 - 2nd in tonight's vertical, 2013, 2014, 2015. Loved by all with full bodied flavor.
February 12, 2021 - Appearance: clear medium ruby
Nose: clean, medium (+) aromas, tertiary, developing. Black plum, blackberry, cassis. Red currant. Liquorice, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cedar, charred oak. Leather, earthy.
Palate: dry, medium (-) acidity, medium (-) tannins, medium alcohol (13,5%), medium bodied. Medium intensity flavours, tertiary, medium length finish. Blackberry, cassis, black plum. Strawberry? Liquorice, cinnamon, vanilla, charred oak. Earthy, leathery.
Conclusions: very good. Drink now, but can age (short-term ageing)
October 1, 2020 - Quite sharp and acidic. Not at the same level I have tasted before from the 2012 vintage. Blindly tasted I would not recognise it as a Rioja.
July 22, 2020 - This stuff is horrible. It's thin and lacks depth and complexity. The midpalate is void of any flavor at all. The finish is acrid with some spice, vanilla and coconut but it's all from oak. I guess if you are one of those people that love oaky wine it's ok. I like oak but it has to be balanced and compliment the wine. This one is going down the drain.
July 15, 2020 - Have had a number of these bottles past few years, and enjoyed them very much. The bottle I had tonight suggested to me that the drinking window is closing, given that everything, be it the fruity mid-palate, or the moderate acidic finish, was all rather subdued. Suggest you drink up the bottles you have in your cellar.