October 12, 2020 - Cork completely intact on a 2004 Guapo. This drinks more like a smoky Pinot Noir and actually has some raspberry type element but a definite smoked characteristic with some leathery type of note. The nose actually kind of tells you the same... As if this was a 20-year-old Pinot noir that was starting to lose its fruit and balance. I will guarantee you this one had more dark fruit influence 10 years ago. Not as much anymore. This one actually seemed to drink better than a Guapo that was 4 years older although this one due to the muted presence of the berries definitely goes better on its own. What an awesome piece of Texas tempranillo history, and really glad I was able to hold on to this for as long as I was.
March 12, 2019 - Inaugural vintage of El Guapo. Cuttings from Sonoma Tempranillo hauled back to Bend TX almost 20 years ago. Lots of shrapnel when this was opened...Thin, violet pour. Quite different from the 08 tasted last night. Fruit was boiled, stank!! This one is done.....
August 8, 2015 - In contrast to the 99, this 04 is already showing signs of bricking. Poured with a thin composition into the glass and followed an 04 Syrah that had just killed. Thick meniscus. On the palate was a "husky" black cherrry. On the entry was a wine that was filled with black cherry, tobacco, tar, cumin. Just thin.....medium bodied thin. The middle is where this one started to show its age. Oxidation was a bit more apparent with "grandma's linen closet" kind of note. This wine showed its vulnerability here. The finish was darker cigar box and pipe tobacco. At first, the finish of this wine was showing a decline. But, after about 20 minutes the finish did show up to the party, and showed more of a note of raspberry liqueur. Good wine, but compared to the 04 there is no contest.
September 13, 2010 - Setting overnight lightly stoppered did indeed aide this wine. Nose is smaller, leathery, citrus. Flavor is softer, still strongly astringent but pleasantly so... helps bring the citrus, lemon zest, taste into mind. A bit of floral, too.
September 12, 2010 - Big nose; flavor is strong in citrus astringency. Going to take another's suggestion and let sit lightly stoppered overnight and hope for some improvement. Not bad as-is, but not great either.
June 21, 2010 - Improved greatly after sitting open but lightly stoppered overnight. First night was a bit alcoholic and oaky, second day was very nice, smooth, spice cake and some jam.
April 13, 2010 - Wines from National Wine Marketing Conference; 4/12/2010-4/15/2010: Nicely evolved from a year ago with leather, orange peel. Good structure and textures. A bit of funk. Nice finish. Really good stuff.
March 31, 2009 - Nice Temp character on the nose with leather, brick and tight orange fruit. Great texture and chew. Oak evident, but meshed and well into being absorbed. Nice finish with leather and non-fruit elements prominent. Young. Well-done.