July 19, 2020 - Unfamiliar with this wine and producer, purchased for $20, almost 20 years in the bottle, we didn't know what to expect.We opened this for a Spanish wine tasting directly out of the cellar.The cork was in good condition and easily removed. The color was opaque purple and was without noticeable sediment. Black cherry with some cedar on the nose; smooth on the palate, with tart red plum, blackberry,and spice notes; cassis and spice on the finish. We were pleased and are happy to have 3 bottles left!
October 20, 2019 - Very dark red color with 7mm transitional margin. PNP, split bottle over 2 hours. This is so ready to go now, very silky and soft. Exotic tobacco is driving the nose, dense Asian spices, cassis and blackberry, and subtle anise. The palate is full bodied, great purity to the fruit, cassis, blackberries, fine tobacco, underbrush, awesome spices, and something intriguing that is reminescent of drying paint. This does improve over an hour modestly and shows a lovely damp proest floor note. So perfectly integrated and easy drinking.
August 16, 2019 - Drank pleasantly right away, but did open up a bit more after 30-45 minutes. Smokey notes on the finish initially, which dissipated as the wine breathed and softened. Nice for a long-aged wine. But also not any particular depth or distinct character. Paired well with mettwurst, and Spanish cheeses, as would be expected.
February 25, 2019 - Started out with what every wine drinker hopes for - a flawless cork that is clean and supple. Opaque black to the edge with an inch pour. Inviting aromas of black cherry and a bouquet of red roses, Enters the mouth very smooth, deliciously fruity, and ample rounded acidity and tannin. The swallow glides down the throat. Magnificently enjoyable now or years later. So glad we own 2 magnums from one of the greatest vintages that Spain has seen. Tasting this side by side with the 2006 and 2010, neither matched the peak perfection of the 2001, with the 2010 having the most intrusive and least seamless tannin and oak.
July 14, 2018 - Not sure if it was bottle variation or a recent move or being paired with things that didn't quite suit the wine, but this one felt a little flat in terms of being dry and without much depth. not lifeless, just maybe too closed at the moment. Flavors of coffee and dirt, with darker almost musty red fruit.
February 26, 2017 - Very nice wine. Black raspberry and herbs. Excellent QPR, but I think this one is past the apex. Still enough fruit to last a few more years, though.
October 16, 2016 - Even better than my last bottle. At 15 yrs this is in beautiful shape, fully integrated with excellent fruit.
October 16, 2016 - Le bois est encore bien présent. Autrement, belle structure et longueur. A encore bien des annees devant lui.
September 3, 2016 - Showing a bit of age, might be slightly pas prime but still a nice drink.
August 10, 2016 - What a magnificent time machine this 15 year old wine is, allowing us to experience why the 2001 vintage was one of the greatest in Spain. I still vividly remember seeing tasters of a $12 2001 Crianza ordering cases as soon as they tasted it, that blew away Reservas in subsequent vintages. This Reserva is in spectacular shape, black to the edge with bright acidity and tannins strong enough to be drying and to handle any fatty meat. Very smooth and exceptionally integrated, while still finishing firm and dry. Excellent concentration, rich black cherry fruit, and briary tannin, with zero sign of any eminent deterioration.