October 30, 2019 - Took about an hour for that “funk” others have noted to blow off, when it did this was a real treat. Classic RdD nose, a little saddle leather, some dried cherries and a hint of vanilla. Nice body, some cola, leather and bramble. Nice finish. Still has a little life as well.
March 11, 2014 - Have had several bottles of this since 2011. Not for months, but as this system is flagging it as a 'Drink Now', I pulled a bottle. Still a nice wine, although some of the fruit is lessening. If that is what you like, drink them now. Had a slight earthy funk on the nose at first that calmed down, as others have noted. Left it opened for over an hour before trying and used the Venturi for the first couple tries, at about 58 degrees. Berry flavors come through and has a subdued finish, but I do get Tempranillo. Enjoyable with a Mediterranean White Pizza on night one. Night two with a Beef Stroganoff. Wine held up nicely on the second night (I did use a vacuum pump), even at 70 degrees. Nicer nose. More berry and black cherry. An excellent light to medium Spanish red. Glad I have 3 more.
January 2, 2014 - Had a strange funk on the nose for the first 30 minutes, but once it blew off, this wine exceeded my modest expectations. It was lightweight in the mouth with great acidity. Not sure if it was the paella, but it seemed a bit dry, which paired great.
June 18, 2013 - Absolutely delicious. Lots of black fruit, nice structure and balance. I don't understand some of the other ratings, maybe it just needed a little time to soften, but we thoroughly enjoyed.
September 19, 2012 - Tons of black fruit, pepper, spice flavors. Medium bodied, firm tannins. Drinking beautifully.
January 25, 2011 - Not a bad wine but just really didn't seem like a Tempranillo to me. I sensed a good deal of smoke and roast meat juices from this wine. It was almost Syrah like. Don't get me wrong, it was certainly pleasant but just not what I expected. Would make a nice wine with some salty jamon and olives.
January 20, 2011 - great value tempranillo. Not a lot of depth, but nice on the palate and easy to drink. Worked very nice with spicy mexican food.
December 27, 2010 - Getting much better. 88-89.
November 18, 2010 - Thursday night football (Shane's abode): nose: a big and extremely rich with a whole lot of extraction and tones of black fruits, anise, spice tones and bits of dark raspberry compote tones. This was so dark and rich it came off as very similar to an aussie shiraz
taste: full bodied, rich, and extracted feel with big tones of black fruits, anise, black cherries, and tones of asphalt. There is a stewed quality to the tones and its hard to tell what this is
overall: my guess on this was an aussie shiraz. This was just overly ripe and extracted and hard to tell what it was.
September 26, 2010 - Got me drunk