August 29, 2022 - Fragrant red cherry and raspberry impress on the nose accented by dark cocoa, anise and mint leaf. A modestly jammy palate of ripe briarberry and dried cranberry is balanced nicely with moderate acidity and soft tannins. Needs a 30 minute decant to fully open up but this one drinks way above its price. A new favorite Tempranillo.
May 6, 2022 - I might agree with another note and say this is the best Tempranillo I've ever had. Its only issue is that at 14.5%, it's quite weighty. Underneath that oak and vanilla and jammy fruit is an elegant, impeccably balanced wine. The acidity and tannins are in total harmony, giving it excellent structure. Had it not been as hot, I would have given at least several more points, but even as is, it's so good that I cannot deny giving it at least 90.
May 4, 2022 - Good balance. Very good first night
February 12, 2022 - Great with merloaf and good qpr. Best tempranillo that I can remember having!
October 13, 2021 - Not much flavor or nose left... it was .....ok
July 14, 2021 - Powerful, woody spice, tar, blackberry, black cherry and licorice flavor with plentiful tannins.
April 18, 2021 - My second tasting of this wine and vintage (the first was 12/11/20) confirms the original 90 point rating. The first wine was taken out of a cold fridge and tasted at 9 degrees C; this one was at room temperature, 26 degrees C. The resulting impression was much the same -- a food-friendly wine with a high QPR at Costco's mark-down price. Highly recommended.
January 24, 2021 - Drank over 2 nights - better on night 1. Did not take formal notes. Not a re-buy. 89+/-
January 12, 2021 - Very bright temp. With nice acidity and finish.
December 23, 2020 - Cf. the CellarTracker Article link [lower lft] to get specific info for this vintage, including acclaim.
Though not my intent, this was a PnP as no decanter was available; Private Preserve used after Day 1.
N: Slightly closed; Choc slightly atop dk frts (cherries, poss plums) with notes of blk pepper coming on
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by an astringent PUCKER which somewhat resolves by the LONG, TANGY/swt (65:35) finish with hints of anise & no real detectable tannins, firming with the structure provided by its acidity. Better by itself (though without charm) than it was with the night's IT Sausage/Beef Lasagna MRE (Costco) which brought out a bitterness in the wine.
// Day 2: ≈ Day 1 aromatically, though DISTINCTLY > fragrant with the frt > obvious; P also ≈ flavor wise, but with the firmness < "in your face". Plus, while today's version was better by itself than Day 1's, it also went MARVELOUSLY with the revisited Chx Picatta (Macaroni Grill)!
// Day 3: ≈ly fragrant aromas, fading SOMEWHAT after extended swirling; P showing the frt of Day 2, but as on Day 1, better by itself than it was with the revisited IT Sausage/Beef Lasagna MRE, though I'd say it was doable with the Black Beans side.
∑: 14.5% ABV; My VG+ as tasted, but, based upon the radical improvement Day 2, would have benefited from a decant, & assuming that, drink now through '23. Also, I'd at least listen to pleas for EXC- based upon the QPR of Costco's $13.99 pd for it recently.