SMD at Bar-a-Thym (Bar-a-Thym, Singapore): Significantly better than when I last had this - almost 12 years ago now. It was decently good, but a touch too young even now. The nose showed deep pulls of dark plums and berries, laced with a lovely bit of spice and cigarette smoke. The palate was very solid, but still strikingly youthful, with fine-boned tannins and bright acidity framing a mouthful of dark berries and black cherries, again laced with a nice kiss of spice and a little savoury meatiness - all this resolving into a spicy, smoky, slightly prickly finish. A pretty good wine, very solid - certainly more together and less rough than the last bottle I had - but this really does feel that it is in a slightly awkward adolescent state. I would wait another 8-10 years on this at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Most enjoyable juice, now fully mature but with plenty of youthful fruit to keep it fresh for years to come. Sweet cherry extract, a dash of smoke and balsamic, and a whiff of curry and exotic spices. Sappy and succulent, this is at a perfect place right now. A lack of depth/complexity is the only thing that keeps this wine from being really outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Attractive berry and forest fruit, quite glossy, lively acidity - all of which brings Barolo to mind. But no, this is Rioja. It opens up very nicely in the glass, has a sensually alluring fragrance, but lacks a sense of place to my mind.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
2/16/2021 - Paul S wrote: 91 Points
SMD at Bar-a-Thym (Bar-a-Thym, Singapore): Significantly better than when I last had this - almost 12 years ago now. It was decently good, but a touch too young even now. The nose showed deep pulls of dark plums and berries, laced with a lovely bit of spice and cigarette smoke. The palate was very solid, but still strikingly youthful, with fine-boned tannins and bright acidity framing a mouthful of dark berries and black cherries, again laced with a nice kiss of spice and a little savoury meatiness - all this resolving into a spicy, smoky, slightly prickly finish. A pretty good wine, very solid - certainly more together and less rough than the last bottle I had - but this really does feel that it is in a slightly awkward adolescent state. I would wait another 8-10 years on this at least.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/21/2020 - robmatic wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful bouquet, expansive and outgoing. Olive tapenade, dried cherry, wonderful balance. Worth the wait.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2020 - johnh1001 wrote: 93 Points
Lovely. Soft and open. Dark fruit, light oak. Bit of cedar. Round and plush.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2018 - robmatic wrote: 91 Points
Most enjoyable juice, now fully mature but with plenty of youthful fruit to keep it fresh for years to come. Sweet cherry extract, a dash of smoke and balsamic, and a whiff of curry and exotic spices. Sappy and succulent, this is at a perfect place right now. A lack of depth/complexity is the only thing that keeps this wine from being really outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/14/2018 - wineamateur Likes this wine:
Attractive berry and forest fruit, quite glossy, lively acidity - all of which brings Barolo to mind. But no, this is Rioja. It opens up very nicely in the glass, has a sensually alluring fragrance, but lacks a sense of place to my mind.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment