Dark in color, dark floral and some pipe tobacco on the nose. Intense core that seemingly goes quite low and has a very pleasant smokiness. Dark, unsweetened chocolate, and some coffee too. Really, really good.
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Coffee, chocolate and herbs in the bouquet. On the palate dark berries, herbs and spices, juicy acidity, red berries and in a lovely drinking stage. No real hurry drinking this wine.
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Classic. On the first smell you know you are in safe hands. That relaxed oak and leather, but this has life, with mint and chocolate and plum. Fine, mouth coating tannins, it presents as young, with life, but enough maturity to drink with confidence now.
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Tasted next to the 1997. More backward and brooding in comparison, especially early on. Over time opening up quite nicely - mix of sweet red and dark fruit, spices, notes of orange peel, tobacco, leather. Great acidity, vibrant and lifted on the palate. Mellow tannins. Very long. Drink or (better) keep. 92-94
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A recent CT review had me rushing my second last bottle out of the cellar as I'm not the biggest fan of wines at their peak. No need to worry as this was drinking sweetly on Christmas day. Came after a 2006 Leoville Barton and 2007 Il Poggione Riserva Brunello. The LB just pipped it but this came a close second. Plenty of supple oak and vanilla laden dark fruit left here with a super long finish. Very tasty and no hurry to drink up the last one. Delicious.
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Cork broke about 2/3 of the way down. Given that the last bottle did this, and was badly corked, I was concerned. This bottle was not however, but I did notice that the noticeable tannins had much faded. I gave this only 20 minutes or so in the duck. While the wine was very tasty, I am moving up my drinking window several years. Maybe it is moving from a fruit and tannin driven wine into something more mature. Regardless, I will error on drinking this early vs. too late
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I love 904. It is always a great wine for my palate.
I recently had the newly released 2015, as well as the 1997. This (as you would expect) fits perfectly in the middle. The 1997 had developed deep tertiary characteristics that I found highly enjoyable. The 2015 is delicious, but could use a few years to come into better balance/mellow a bit. The 2005 feels like it is in perfect harmony right now, and I think it is in an ideal drinking window. I think further aging will lead to the tertiary elements to start to dominate, which is not necessarily bad, but will just create a completely different experience. If I had several of these on hands, I'd drink most of them now, and keep a few to open in 5-10 years to experience its evolution to a tertiary-dominated wine
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Excellent example of traditional Rioja. Moderate oak, refined rather than too brazen. For me, it had a cranberry dominant palate. Great and long finish. Reminded me of Malan Gran Reserva which we drank in Calpe earlier this year. A definite reminder of why we love Rioja so much.
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Pnp. Absolutely beautiful right out of the gate. Light and elegant. Complex nose of rose petals and Christmas spaces have gave way to more lavender. A palate to match. No flaws. Long finish. A beauty. Not fading but I don't see any room for improvement
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Amazing bottle. 18 years old and showing wonderfully. Who the heck waists their money on Napa Cabs when you could spend your money on something this interesting and this balance.
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Decanted 45 minutes. Solid core of red cherry, cranberry, soy sauce, and cola on the nose. Evolved in the glass to reveal slight hints of mushroom and damp wood chips. In the mouth a primary hit of dusty cherry and dry soil. Just starting to take on more complexity but the still-firm tannins clamped down hard. Lovely old-school Rioja with plenty of room to grow. I'll hold the next one for 3 or so years to let things mature and mellow just a bit more. A strong 92 now with potential to get into the 94-95 range with time.
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our last bottle, opened to celebrate Charles heading off to college this week. Previous note still rings true - just a spectacular and delicious wine that delivers all the goods. Ready to drink.... 95+
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Youthful colour. Smile inducing nose shows deep red fruits and leather. Luxurious. On the palate some orange peel tells us we're in Rioja. Tannins well integrated. Long finish. Consumed over 3 days and did not degrade at all. Showing will with plenty of life in it.
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Still lots of time to age. Nice red berry fruits followed by a bit of zippy cherry note slightly tinged with sourness ... slight. Nice spices and smooth tannins, drying but not chunky or grainy. Good complexity and structure here.
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Still plenty of cherry fruit and just starting to develop those lovely mature tertiary Rioja notes of old leather and soft spice, many years ahead and some upside if you like mature rioja
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Quite deep colour but browning at the edges. Lovely, complex nose of sour cherries and other red fruit, mixed with notes of tar. Complex on the palate: sour cherries to start, then it builds to a somewhat hot, peppery taste, and then the aftertaste persists nicely in warm fruit. Tannins and oak fully subsumed, but with relatively high underlying acidity. Really very good. Ready to drink, but no hurry, these wines are built to last!
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Superb Rioja GR. I can't imagine this getting much better, but remaining bottles should have a few more years yet. Next tasting will be alongside the 2004.
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This wine, after close to 20 years, remains its quality intact, and you can tell it can still develop for a few more years. Rated as an exceptional vintage in la Rioja, this 2005 shows beautiful development over the years with notes of sweet red cherry followed by sweet spice and a delicate bouquet. While it is a robust wine, it is also relatively restrained and elegant thanks to the refreshing acidity and the well-integrated tannins.
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A luscious wine that seems more earthy than the 2004 (which had more dark fruit notes). Preference for the 2004 but the 2005 is very approachable and comparable to the 2005 CUNE Imperial Grand Reserva 2005.
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Sour cherries and dill on the nose, the palate is still youthful and oak influenced, very rich fruit, consistently in line with the bouquet sour cherries, hints of dill, leather vanilla and fudge. The excellent medium plus acidity brings lovely freshness, tannins are still clearly present. After a couple of a bit awkward bottles finally a good one, which reveals that time is still needed for the 2005 to actually start drinking well. This is very promising but I would wait. Nevertheless, one of the strong vintages along with 2001, 2004 and 2010 out of which the two oldest are in the drinking window while the two younger ones are still developing and waiting to emerge.
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Expressive and over on the nose - red fruit, orange peel, spices, vanilla, tobacco. On the palate soft and mellow, the tannins are very much in the background, but still providing good structure. Good acidity, lovely fruit, fine length. Drink or keep. 91-93
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Really powerful nose with strawberry, cherry, sweet aceto balsamico, tobacco, mushroom. Savoury, almost salt, with great acidity supporting the dense fruit. Very complex and long. Not as good as the 2001 vintage, but nonetheless a very fine wine. Drink now and for at least the next 20 years. For sure, I will save some of my remaining bottles for the long haul
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outstanding Rioja that is very balanced with smooth tannins & drinking perfectly. A perfect garnet in the glass, medium bodied and savory with a bit of acidity this wine has it all:
rose petals, bright red cherry, potpourri, tobacco, cedar, leather, pine needles on the forest floor, crushed stone, earth, savory herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano), blood orange, stewed plums, a salty minerality.... my God.....
I wish I had more, such an outstanding wine! I bought this at Central Market in Houston for less than $50.00 and now kicking myself for not getting a few cases... unbelievable value... drinks like $250+
Rating: 95+
No need to wait on this -- I can't imagine it getting any better from here. Decanted in a 1L Erlenmeyer flask for 90 min prior to serving and strongly considering opening up my last bottle
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Decanted and took an hour to open. Medium bordering on pale ruby in glass that tapers to a garnet edge. Some age on it by the look Nose very complex consisting of red Cherry, cranberry, currant, blackberry Vanilla, Coffee, smoke, Leather, earth, tobacco, chocolate and more. Fully developed by all accounts, although undoubtedly Time will tell. Palate Dry, Medium+ acidity, Medium tannins yet very smooth and well integrated. Medium+ body with pronounced flavors of sour cherry, vanilla, strawberry. Lighter alcohol than expected, or maybe it’s higher acidity. Perfect with food wine or without. Long finish, dissipating only to beg for more. Outstanding wine. Perhaps it can age further (I’m no expert here) but it is absolutely ready and wonderful to drink now. I cannot believe this wine doesn’t cost more either. Highly recommended!
Paired with herb marinated grilled pork tenderloin and roasted vegetables. Decanted over 2+ hours. Enjoy!
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Outstanding to exceptional. The length, and spread of flavour through the finish, stops you in your tracks. There is still a lot going on with this wine, the fresh coffee grounds oak still much front and centre but it quickly finds its medium bodied elegance and clarity through the middle where fresh and translucent fruit (almost burgundy like perky red cherry) finds some green (capsicum) freshness. Length for minutes. It's a wine of two halves still (oak vs fruit) and has only just started tio soften. Will be very long lived. Wait 5-7 more before looking again. Wow. Thank you B.
Ready to go. Lots of Smokey, camphor notes and sweet tobacco with interplays of dill. Palate was luscious and well balanced. Medium long finish. Succulent
A truly delicious wine to consume now and for the next 10 years. The 2005 is not as complex as the 2001 or 2004, but it's full of that great LRA 904 sense of traditional Rioja and fine winemaking. A color that is starting to veer a little bit toward aged Rioja, meaning a glimpse of tawny red, with a vibrant nose that jumps out of the glass with sweet mint and wet oak notes, followed by an absolutely delicious food wine. Tastes of dark, aged cherry, burnt wood, rich moist soil, mint, a hint of dill, and a nice finish. I am hoping that this wine develops more tertiary notes in time.
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In der Nase viel Kirsche, rot und schwarz, etwas Pflaume und mit Luft etwas Ingwer und Orange. Vor allem sekundär aber mit Tabak, getrockneten Kräutern und auch fleischiger roter Frucht. Recht verhalten im Holzton, kaum Vanille oder Kokos und sehr tief und ruhig würzig.
Am Gaumen sehr elegant mit sehr saftiger und zuggebender Säure. Angenehm leise, ruhig und auch hier tief und komplex wie in der Nase.
Der Wein braucht tatsächlich einiges an Luft um sich zu entfalten und steht dann aber extrem stabil da.
Im Vergleich zu Tondonia deutlich eleganter, geschliffener und nicht annähernd so archaisch.
Sicher großartig zu vielen Speisen.
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Glossy garnet color. Tilled earth and vanilla aroma. Elegant entry. Red fruit and vanilla. Still has some grip. Clean finish. Excellent with grilled steak. 91
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Just as special as 3 years ago. Cork in perfect shape. Followed over 4 hours open and it took a good hour to fully seam together. Such a lovely bouquet and the palate just haunts with its persistence. I am really happy to have a mag remaining.
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This just is SO reliable and remains good value when you look at BDX and Californian prices. Lovely brick edge medium dark claret. Classic nose but not bold. Super balance with the lovely rioja tang surrounding a savoury fully developed taste. Classic and elegant. V good place now. Probably will last a long time but it hasn't got any edges to be knocked off
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Just amazing! Other commentators captured it well.. soft but bright cherries, vanilla and oak with incredible integration. Only wish I had more. A few years left in them.
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Wine dinner with friends. Five hour decant. Mountains of sweet American oak (vanilla, coconut, dill, bourbon) and sweet red, blue, and black fruits. Savory elements dancing around the edges of the wine. More balanced and complex than the 2007, but feels a bit dessert-like, which does not necessarily agree with our palates. Loose knit structure with just enough acid and tannin to hold this wine together. Not sure how the soft structure will develop moving forward; can this level of structure allow the wine to hold for the 10++ years other notes are calling for? Drink now to 2030. Excellent 93.
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Very bright acidity upon uncorking. Short decant wil not do justice to this wine it does not show the weight until second day. Long decant or a couple of more years cellaring.
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Traditional Spanish Riojas have the most alluring noses. This cherry fruit smells so sweet and fresh. It’s accompanied by American oak which gives it a touch of dill and vanilla with brown sugar and cedar
It is rich and round and sweet and has no rough edges. The tannins are soft -The palate is a tick behind the nose at this point. Maybe a touch closed? If a wine can deliver an equal experience on the palate that this gives on the nose, well that would be hard to beat -This has a long life ahead…
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Similar to my last note; just a fantastic wine. But do not drink without at least three hours in a wide decanter. It needs time and air to show itself.
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Someday I’m going to learn my lesson about good Rioja and either let it age for 20+ years or decant for 5 hours or longer, allowing time to focus on the wine and not let meal timing dictate when to drink it.
3 hours of decanting and the aromas were still muted, and the flavors were overwhelmed by tight acidity and structure. 30 minutes more in the glass, with a lot of spinning, started to bring out the vanilla and still-muted cherry flavors, but none of the other secondary flavors I’d expected. And then the prime rib was ready. The wine’s structure obviously matched the meal, and down went rest of the bottle.
So, either this was in a dumb phase or I was. I’d lay money on the latter, but regardless I’ll wait another 5 years before opening another bottle.
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Christmas Eve in Breda. Paired with roast beef. Opened early inbouw morning and decanted for 3 hours. Initially still quite firm but opened up completely in the glass. Truly magnificent. Red fruit on the nose. Beautifully balanced and integrated soft tannins and acidity. On the palate dark red fruit, savoury notes and vanilla. Very good. This has at least another 10-20 years
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Servis a l'aveugle après une dégustation de Mouton et j'étais sur un bordeaux classé plus boisé. Dans son sweet spot en ce moment. belle richesse/fraicheur, bois bien intégré, le genre de vin que je consommerais a chaque semaine, un vrai délice !
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Day 1: Lover the 904. Raspberries, wood, dill, minerals, earth and floral notes. This is super complex and long finish. This wine should age for another 10 plus years. 94 points
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Vertical of 1994/2001/2004/2010 904 and next to 2005 Ardanza Reserva. The most generous and ripe of the 904s in the line up. Dark fruit, also quite youthful, ripe tannins, well balanced and elegant. 92-94
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dark purlple in the glass. no sediments and showing nice windows on the glass edges. smells from current, plumb and dried berries. very smooth and long finish. have decanted it 2 hours before drinking. great wine and exceptional made.
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A blend of Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%). Fermented and macerated for 15 days in stainless steel. Aged for 4 years (from March 2006 to March 2010) in American oak barrels that are on average 4 years old. Bottled in November 2010. 13,5% alcohol, 1,4 g/l residual sugar, 5,3 g/l acidity and pH 3,61.
Surprisingly youthful appearance for its age; dark, luminous and moderately translucent ruby core that turns to pale raspberry towards the rim. Rich, quite sweetish and relatively dark-toned nose with ripe aromas of wizened dark plums and ripe black cherries, some meaty notes, a little bit of licorice, light herbal notes of dill and dried aromatic herbs, oaky hints of vanilla and toasty mocha and a touch of savory wood spice. Contrasting the previous 904 vintages we've had in the tasting (1989-2004), this wine feels sweeter and fuller in style with more noticeable ripeness and quite intense flavors of black cherries and wizened figs, some toasty mocha oak, light whiskey notes of vanilla, a little bit of meaty umami, light licorice tones, a hint of dill and an evolved touch of beef jerky. Despite the ripeness and slightly sweeter overall taste, the wine is nevertheless pretty firm and structured, thanks to the rather high acidity and quite assertive and grippy tannins. The finish is ripe, rather grippy and very lengthy with powerful and somewhat sweet-toned flavors of sweet black cherries and prunes, some toasty mocha oak, a little bit of meaty umami and charred game, light notes of dill, a hint of vanilla and other sweet spicy notes of oak and a touch of ripe black cherry.
Contrasting the previous vintages of 904, this 2005 was markedly different in style, suddenly showing more ripeness, weight and concentration than any other vintage. While you could taste that all the wines were cut from the same cloth, the fruit flavors were definitely from the darker end of the spectrum, contrasting the typically more red-toned fruit of 904, and the oak influence was much more noticeably to the fore, showing not only the classic notes of vanilla and savory old wood spice, but also darker-toned flavors of mocha and sweet, toasty oak spice. I wonder whether this wine is just aging even more slowly than 904 normally is, coming across as much more youthful than the other vintages, or if the winemaking here has changed somewhat? At least this wine was noticeably more structured and muscular than Ardanza 2005, which was a ripe but also a surprisingly soft and mellow vintage compared to the other Ardanzas. All in all, this was a big and impressive vintage 904, but not entirely to my taste - it felt sweeter and more concentrated than what I've grown to expect from the wine. It might be just the vintage, but this was more about clumsy blockbuster expression than finesse in my books. I hope the wine will drop its baby fat and pick up some tertiary complexity with further aging.
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A wonderful wine. First bottle opened in a while. Nose of leather, funky, anamalic. That persists on the palette, but there is a clean, cutting acidity across it that just gives this a beautiful balance and structure. Very long finish. This is drinking very well right now but will easily last another 15-20 years. I only wish I had (or could find) more than the 3 bottles and two magnums I have left.
needs minimum 6 hours of air My buddy insisted 24 but I did not have that much time Classy crystaline structure great with food in this case paella in our porch for sister's birthday
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Drank 3/2021 with short ribs in mole sauce. The subtle complexity of the wine and the mole we so complementary. Dark, brooding fruit, uplifting acidity and gripping tannins make for a delicious, enticing wine. Tannins seem a little strong for a wine that's 19+ years, but they are integrated well and mellow a touch over an hour or so. A tremendous wine, especially for a relatively modest price tag.
Last bottle of a case. The entire case has been very enjoyable. Around 2017 -2018 this wine became very open and inviting. It was a good chooce for PNP or restaurant. However, it is at its best 2 hours after opening. Will seek out more of the current vintage on offer.
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light rusty look on the edges, smooth and fruity on the nose. in the glass after 2 hours it really opened up and was enjoyable to good french and spanish cheese.
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Nez expressif d'arômes balsamiques...de cèdre et d'allumettes, selle de cheval et de caramel. Saveurs de cerise noire et de vanille entrelacé d'épices. Les tannins sont fins. Un vin mûr, rond et harmonieux. Longue finale sur des notes d'anis. Délicieux !
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Lovely nose of red cherries, mint, chocolate, and tobacco. Medium+ acidity and tannins with more red cherries, some cocoa, and raspberries on the palate. Nice finish. Great wine, drinking okay now, but would love to try again in 10 years.
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Wine is much more lean than my previous bottle 9 month ago. Nice elegant with smooth melted tannins. Licour notes. Nice acidity. Great wine for me but much more developed than I expected.
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93 Un gran Rioja clásico. Nariz con buena madera, que no se impone a una fruta limpia. Buena intensidad, notas de cerezas maduras. En boca es excelente, con mucho equilibrio, buen cuerpo y un final intenso, pulido y muy elegante. Notas de grafito, mineral, mucha estructura. Es muy largo y está entrando en un momento dulce. Gran vino.
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Dichtes rot im Zentrum an den rändern leucht braun-orange. Reife Früchte pflaume Dörrobst Süßholz tabak Schokolade. Seidene tannine hohe Intensität bei mittlerem Körper elegant Finesse Pflaume aber Brombeere und mon cherie. Rauchig kühler Abgang langes Finale
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Medium ruby. Fragrant, aromatic black cherry nose. Well balanced wine, medium bodied, well integrated tannins,drinking very well. Very good wine. RP says 2035 which seems a little generous but we shall see.
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Virtual Spanish Wines: Very nice acidity on the palate along with some light strawberry and vanilla. There is a touch of American oak. Blue fruit and leather comes out with time. My favorite wine of the tasting.
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Virtual Single Blind Spanish Tasting (Home): Dark red color. Splash decanted and poured into jars for transport and poured into glasses about 2 hours later. Drank one glass plus single blind over 3 hours. This was singing immediately and took very little swirling for it to fully blossom in glass. There's just a splendid perfume here, a floral potpourri, dried roses, deep blue fruits and cherry fruits, menthol and eucalyptus, leather and smoky spices abound. The palate is right there too, medium plus bodied and seamless, sleek and seductive with its complex mix of feminine wiles. It's all here, a mix of funk and earth, dark fruits, silky black cherry, creosote, leather, spices and polished tannins on a long finish. Fantastic! My and group WOTN.
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Wines: This was a very nice tasting, conducted as a single blind (we knew the wines, but not which was which). The wines featured included the following: 2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia (Starter wine) 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat 2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto 2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster 2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5° NV Pedro Ximenez Spinola Sherry (Desert wine)
Prep: Wines were decanted for about 10 mins then poured/filtered into jars for transport, and consumed 2-4 hours later.
Scores: The group's top 3 wines were: WOTN = 2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, two wines tied for second = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, and 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster. My order was as follows: WOTN = 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster, #2 = 005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, #3 = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, #4 (tie) = 2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5° and 2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto.
Review: 2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 - This was the group's WOTN and my number 2 pick. I actually thought this was the 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat because, for me, it tasted the oldest of all the wines. The nose was the best of the group, perfumed with lavender and black fruit, also showing earth, cigar box and spice. The palate was well integrated and balanced, showing a nice dose of fruit (blackberry and cherry) and tertiary flavors ( tobacco, leather and earth) with hints of vanilla (presumably from the oak). This is a delicious wine with an awesome nose, and is drinking quite well now. I don't see this wine improving, but it seems to have enough to hold for a while (but I wouldn't wait too long, i.e. a year, unless you don't care about the fruit and want more tertiary flavors, IMO). This was a close second for me, but only because I liked the longer finish on the 2009 Priorat. Easily 93+ points.
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Expressive, generous fruit, notes of leather, tobacco, spices. Nice tannic backbone, great acidity. Really well balanced and harmonious. Long. Drink or keep. 92-94
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потрясающе . отрытое и зрелое вино с необыкновенным вкусом. очень ровные танины . легкая сладковатость без алкогольной нагрузки . ушло под тартар из оленины
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Second bottle of this wine that I've opened in two days time. Both have oak treatment that tastes like wood and wet newspaper, rather than coconut or vanilla. The wood overpowers the other flavors. I opened the second bottle today thinking that maybe the first one was corked, but this second one is just the same. I really don't understand others' love of this Rioja. I like Riojas, but definitely not this one. Worst 8-bottle purchase ever.
Following the advice of Purple Tooth, I left the bottles in the frig for a few days and then left them open on the counter for 12 hours or more before drinking. The oak was much more subdued and integrated at that point. Because I'm updating this note many weeks later, I don't have revised tasting notes or even recall my sense of a revised score. Consequently, I'll go with my earlier 85 from a previous bottle. Next time, 24 hours of air before drinking and then I can maybe find greater appreciation for this wine.
Without a doubt, this is the most enjoyable wine I have opened this year (2020). It is everything one would want in a proper, classically styled Rioja. And the finish just lingers on and on. I shall be ordering another 6 of the 2010.
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Paella night (Adam's, Logan Square, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is just flat out pretty. It's well balanced, layered, and deep with sour red cherries, sour red fruits, raspberries, strawberries, vanilla beans, dill, herbs, licorice, spice notes, tobacco, and some worn leather. It was easy to get lost in the glass and take in the ethereal quality that this bottle is clearly moving into.
Taste: The feel is Medium bodied with tart, medium+ acidity and silky, medium+ tannins. The structure is starting to show some maturity as the tannins are beginning to pull back while the feel is poised and regal with sour red cherries, raspberries, strawberries, tobacco, licorice, herbs, and worn leather notes.
Overall: This is towards a very long beginning for this wonderful wine. It is beautifully balanced and fragrant while showing a lot of depth across the nose and palate.
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Dark brick color. Medium body. Dark fruit. A bit faded. Earthy secondary flavors of tobacco and mushrooms. Mellow tannins, but the acidity is on the high side. Into its drinking window, with another 5 years or so left.
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- Garnet color with fast forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of fig, black pepper and vanilla with a medium body. Round texture with a long finish - Delightful fruit and balanced with spices. Its very smooth and complex at the same time. Very enjoyable and drinking so well.
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Bottle 3 of 4 and this was the best. Perfectly fine to drink now, or hold 5+ more years. Paired nicely with bbq ribs after a quick decant, and continued to improve with air.
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Dark red color. Deeply fruited, rich with masses of oak. This is still really too young given that the oak needs a lot more time to subside - it sticks out too much now. But this is a good wine and likely to get better. I chose it to complement a filet mignon with foie gras and a cherry wine reduction and it was quite a good match.
Medium ruby/ tawny in color. Lush, smooth and welcoming from the first sip. It shows trademark vanillin, but unlike in some other more recent years, we do not find it excessive. Decent acid backbone. Simultaneously complex and friendly; very easy to drink. Highly enjoyable over three nights.
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P&P. Full and rich with dense vanilla and oaked fruit. Much more developed than my last botlle 2 yrs ago. Beautiful aromas of vanilla, thyme, blueberries. Great acidity backbone. My favourite Rioja
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Every time I open one of these wines I find myself shaking my head in disbelief. The QPR on these wines is simply outstanding!
I gave this a one hour decant and while it was youthful, it started to come in to its own around hour three. The aromatics here are intoxicatingly fragrant. Classic American Oak influence of coconut, dill and herbs de Provence but it was more a part of the wine than it was a dominating factor of the wine. Once it starts to shed that layer, more herbs, sweet tar, spicy black cherries and roasted rhubarb show up. Wonderful and refreshing acidity here. On the palate, it sports dried cranberries, fleshy black cherries, pipe tobacco, thyme, peppercorn and a slightly sweeter kirsch note. Will be even better in 5-7yrs.
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Drinking perfectly right now. Full and rich with dense vanilla and oaked fruit. Was going to leave a couple of glasses for the next night to see how it developed overnight but next time I looked the bottle was empty! Delicious...
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At $39, a ridiculous value. Opaque orange hued red. Candied red cherry, vanilla, tobacco and spice cake nose. The liqueur red fruit in the mouth is balanced by subtle tannin, good acidity and a spicy finish. Excellent Rioja. 6th of 12.
This is great! Has fullish aromas of vanilla infused flowers, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. Its medium bodied elegant blue and red fruits palate has lovely depth, freshness and a great oaky fruity middle. Ends long, zingy and tapering. Great complexity here. 13.5%. Lay down 5-10 yrs+ no problem.
Sour cherries, moist leather, salty savoury flavours and earthiness, fairly high acidity but some vintages are more acidic (namely 2001 and 2004), oak and vanilla are present but (finally) resolved enough to make this approachable and enjoyable, at the beginning of its drinking curve, can be consumed now but will evolve and get even better. A must for friends of old school Rioja wines.
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I like this one more than the previous two bottles, spaced out by a year or more each. Maybe because it's more mature, or bottle differences... or perhaps because in this time of COVID-19 I just appreciate it more. It's a real blessing to have wines that go well with all sorts of foods that might not be our usual diets... such as baked beans with pork.
This bottle, now, seems much better balanced than the previous ones. The fruit, while somewhat subtle, is intriguing and fits perfectly well with the acid. Hard to describe the fruit - somewhat like blueberries turned down several notches, with hints of dark cherry and who knows what.
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Excellent wine that is approaching «cruising altitude». Drinking very well right now, but will hold for many years.
Ripe blueberries, liquorice and a touch of floral on the nose. Touch of spice. Beautiful mix of developed tones such as leather and dried fruits, but still holding on to that primary fruit core.
Dark fruit on the palate with some cherries and vanilla notes. Medium finish. Lovely stuff!
92-93 points. Rated 92.
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This wine was nearly perfect. Lots of fruit initially when opened, and a slightly floral nose. After an hour, it revealed more tobacco and cedar notes - but still rich, ripe fruit (plum, blackberry) but not jammy in the least bit. Longish finish and nice acidity for an '05. I had opened a half bottle prior that was well past. The 750 ml was flawless
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PNP - drank over 2 hours. Got better with air - personally, I think this needs 5 more years to be at peak. Dark red/brown color with clear meniscus. Savory nose - mushrooms, cherry, tart cherry & dill + tobacco. Palate had similar flavor profile. Medium body, medium+ acidity and very long finish. All too easy to drink! 93+/-
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I was expecting a lot more from this wine. After drinking old Rioja vintages from the 60s 70s and 80s recently, this wine should be tasting a lot younger. I don’t think it’s going anywhere. Nice enough but didn’t move the earth. Keeping wines in barrel for several years so can be categorised as Gran Reserva is questionable. I have had some stunning Old Crianzas which have been very similar to top notch Burgundies. Regretfully this doesn’t come near. After years of drinking Riojas I am beginning to lose respect for “Gran Reservas”. Better Crianzas and Reservas with a decent amount of bottle age. The wine itself is nicely mouth filling. Grippy tannins with a medium body. Slight watery but elegant. Savoury on the palate with pronounced oak and dried figs. Good finish. Pleasant enough but none of the stuffing to suggest a long life ahead. Still quite a few bottles left!
Excellent wine and drinking so well right now. Floral and sweet fruit on the nose. Dark fruit on the palate with some pepper and spice notes. Medium finish. Wonderful!
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Quite deep colour but with light brown on the edges. Fair bit of oak on the nose but it is beautifully integrated with the fruit. On the palate the oak is certainly there, but the wine is beginning to come together and it is concentrated and very well-balanced. The initial impression was that the aftertaste was still quite tannic with an acidic lift, but as we drank through the bottle with a rack of lamb with slightly spiced carrots (superb matching!) it seemed softer and just got better and better.
A beautiful wine, drinking well now but with a long life ahead of it.
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Really excellent! Cork broke on extraction. Bummer. Decanted to clean the wine of cork bits and sediment. Drank over several hours during the Super Bowl. Lots of spiced cherries and other red fruits. Initially a bit of oak was present, but it was no big deal compared to the Spanish wines of yesteryear. Excellent balance with complexity and nice mouthfeel. Medium length finish. It's drinking very nicely now.
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Uncorked and allowed to slow O for ~2 hours prior to pouring. First taste was tannic and oaky. Vanilla from the oak dominated most other notes. Allowed to breathe in my glass for another hour, it started to open up. Tannins receded a bit and the oak gave way to some lovely fruit and leather notes. Paired nicely with jamon, aged manchego and other tasty bits. Saving 2/3 of the bottle for tomorrow. Hoping that it will continue to open more overnight.
Skipping ahead to night 3, tannins are still pretty chewy, and the oak is still prominent, but both have mellowed, giving way to more of the silky fruit that they had been hiding.
Finally, on night 4, the tannins have receded significantly, the oak is present but not quite so... oaky... and the fruit is really coming through beautifully. This is just a hint, I think, of the elegant wine that this will become.
I believe that I've opened this 10-15 years too early.
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Mid to pale red. High boned red cherry notes. On several days looking I decided this bottle was not corked, but there could have been a touch of TCA (I’m relatively sensitive to it). Otherwise this is starting to shape up nicely. Ethereal cedar and varnish on the nose. As always with this house I find the oak sticks out, even at 14 years you can see it on the palate. Sour cherries the lingering thought. Tannins remain firm. Give it at least another 5 years to see what may be its best.
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This was a very different wine between the time it was first opened and immediately tasted and day 2. Dark red ruby color and tightly wound on day 1, dominated by tannins and dark red fruit, but not a lot of complexity. On day 2, it really came alive, with medium bodied dark and red cherry, dried spice, leather, and licorice, but still on the young side. Well balanced. An excellent wine now (after a long decant) but it has even greater potential with cellaring. Not inexpensive but a relative bargain given what it delivers.
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Deep cherry red in color. Nose is still mostly primary with some secondary notes. No tertiary aromas. Red cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf, cigar box and clove. On the palate it is dry, velvety with medium acidity, tannins and alcohol. The texture is lush, luxurious and suave. It feels hedonistic. But it still hasn't developed much complexity. This has a lot of time left. I think I will lay my next bottle for a couple of years because this has at least a decade of life. It feels like a baby next to the '01 Ardanza we are having by its side.
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Rocknroller has it right, as usual. When first opened, it was as tight and tannic as a leather drum. After an hour uncorked it started to really sing and ended up being a personal WOTY candidate. 5+13+17+9= 94
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Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Estelle, St. Paul, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour next to the '05 Ardanza. Another outstanding 904 for La Rioja. Beautifully sleek and alluring; gravelly minerals, cherry, dark berries, spice, fine tobacco with hints of tar, great texture and acid too. This was lifted and energized and it's only going to get better. 93+pts.
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Had this last just short of 3 years ago and it has improved. Still somewhat youthfully rich but moving in the right direction. Classic Rioja aromas of berries, light cigar box and earth. Palate offers a range of raspberry, cherry, mineral, tobacco leaf in a youthfully exuberant way. Think this should be singing in 3-5yrs. On the front end of its prime drinking and promising. 92+/93
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This is an elegant rioja with expressive nose highlighted by American oak. Though this is an outstanding wine, I would wait another 5 years for greater integration of oak. Double decanted 2-3 hours before consumption.
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Love wines like this where it’s not just an enjoyable wine to drink, but so much fun to drink it and talk about all the flavors. Cigar box, tart cherries or raspberries, cranberry in the finish and river stone? And a free element, haven’t out my finger in it yet, but this is yummy!
Wine Tasting Group - Rioja - Oct 26, 2019 (Sketches of Spain, Bishop Arts, Oak Cliff, Dallas): Aromas of dill, bright fresh and dried red fruits with earth. Cherries, ripe blackberries, earth and dill on the palate. Nice acids keep the wine lively. The American oak still needs to integrate more and this is still young. Having said that, elegance defines this wine on both the nose and palate.
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Placid dark blood red. Raspberries and a hint of cigarette smoke on the nose. Tart, acidic raspberries with a general smokiness that blends wonderfully with a touch of cranberry at the end palate. Delicious stuff.
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93 Grande este vino. Rojo rubí. Nariz con fruta sazonada, buena madera. Vainilla. En boca tiene una limpieza, una acidez y una intensidad de fruta perfecta. Espléndido.
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A delightful LRA's 904 that is in a great spot right now. Benefited from decanting for 1-2 hours. A juicy combination of earthiness, some dill notes, wet forest, and mellow fruit that is becoming to show signs of aging (but still has years of life ahead). Much joy.
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Opened at a busy gathering at home and did not get the chance to revisit until the next day from an uncorked bottle on the counter. Candied red fruit, vanilla and spice cake on the nose. Sweet with pervasive cherry cola in the mouth. I don't remember it being so alive on opening but heavens is it good the next day. I'll give the next bottles a decant. Yummy stuff.
Better than the bottle I tried three years ago, but still does not convince me. It is disjointed, alcohol and acidity cover everything else. I do not have high hopes for the rest of the bottles I have in cellar. And I wonder if my palate does not like this wine, or did I get bad batch.
Small pour. Brief note. Very good, more youthful than the '04 and maybe a little riper vintage. Bright red fruits, more tannin and wood showing, this is a beauty too.
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Slowed for Oed up to two hours prior to pairing with marinated grilled tri-tip. Still dark with minimal bricking. Minimal sediment. Dark cherries and earth with some acidity. Good with food. Would’ve been fun to of held onto it for a while longer. See if I can find my 2004 somewhere lost in my cellar. Fun to compare! Drink w decant or hold.
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Brought to the CT SEA Riserva and Gran Riserva Rioja tasting, turned out there was another of the same bottle in the line-up! This tasted better, the other was double decanted or it could be bottle variation. I opened this an hour or so before the tasting. Day 2 I had a small glass with food; this is what it is meant for. This is closer to an 89 than a 96.
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Dinner at Dragon Phoenix. Mid garnet. Rich nose. Medium body. Already well evolved with soft tannins. Quite fresh with relatively high acidity. Notes of vanilla, oak, cherries and tomatoes. Overall an elegant wine although not much complexity.
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Excellent Rioja. Very well mature that keeps all positive elements of the age. Nose full of red dry fruits and earthy touch. It also has elements of freshness. Palate gives vanilla, woody, cedar, chocolate and caramel. Tannins are smooth and pleasant and acidity is medium. Very well balance and very enjoyable.
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Decanted and drank slowly as it opened up. Textbook 904, the american oak omnipresent, some graphite, but also fresh red fruit. Drinking wonderfully now but no rush at all- this will keep giving for many years to come.
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First tasted in 2017 and still quite impressive. Medium bodied, beautiful balance of fruit and oak. Very approachable now but I look forward to seeing how this one continues to evolve with a little more age. Great expression of Rioja.
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Exceptional. Fruit still strong and forward - oak brings hints of spice, vanilla. Bold but polite. Drunk with lamb after 1.5 in decanter - really singing, but still plenty of life and years to come. Look forward to the other bottles I have in the cellar in years to come.
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Du cèdre et encore du cèdre ! Arôme intense de cèdre... avec des notes de figues sèches et de tabac. En bouche, saveurs de cerise et de roses sèches. Une belle acidité, mi-corsé, soyeux...beaucoup de caractère. Finale moyenne à longue. Délicieux par lui-même ou avec bouffe. Un grand vin ! Boire d'ici 2025. 93+
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This wine was intoxicating, as in captivating and elevating, setting a mood of high interest and pleasure. That's about how it guided the evening and made for a delightful dinner. Opened about 3.5 hours before dinner, decanted last 30 minutes. Definitely helped bring out depth and integration for the rich aged fruit, wood/earth/forest/leather hints. There was a lovely back and forth between fresher red fruit, cherry, strawberry, black cherry, with the more aged tone. Moderate full body, long finish, nice balance, rich and nuanced. Three years plus air time seems to have been beneficial.
Better than the last bottle a few years ago. I found it to be better integrated. Was a little disjointed the last time. This time I did not notice the "coconut suntan oil" fragrance which I normally get from this producer.
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Dull garnet red-brown. Christmas potpourri with red fruits on the nose. Sharp red fruits with tons of spices and sweet red berry umami. Delicious, especially in the finish.
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Spherical, translucent, and radiating; dark sour cherries, earth, and thrilling minerality; elegant and dignified; gives a little on character to achieve the polish.
Cellar tracker has great reviews of some early 904s consumed in the last year: '59, '64, others. I don't think I'd prefer this at 40, 50, or 60 years, though I bet it could get there. But it offers great pleasure (with no decant) now, so enjoy this phase -2024.
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High wire act. Balanced well above the earth, exotic aromas (deep and rich autumn flowers and forests) resolve into dark and ripe fruits (blackberries and plums), back by elegant and firm tannins. The memorable finish literally lasts for minutes, with sensations of graphite and granite. This wine has a minimum of a decade still to age before reaching its apogee. Phenomenal accomplishment.
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Nicely balanced. Some bricking. Tart red fruits, vanilla, leather. Pleasurable to drink, but unresolved, and I would leave this alone for another 10 years. For context, I ended up drinking the entire bottle over 3 hours when my wife unexpectedly had to work. I don’t know if that makes my review more credible, or less credible, although I would lean towards the latter.
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Dark red, translucent, showing first signs of age at the rim. Dark fruits, oak, herbs, leather on the bouquet. Same dark fruits in the mouth and tertiary flavours, leather, animal, really nice acidity and well integrated tannins, softer than a couple of years ago. Really good now but no hurry to drink the rest.
Tried another Nov 19. Brick red at the edge but translucent, light colour. As above but red fruits rather than dark on the nose spicy/herby, something animal also stones. Nose more fruity Thani remember
All the above in the mouth but barrel aging and tannins less prominent; nice acidity and mineralty
Really good
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Lovely and mature. Perfect with the beef we were served. First notes of tertiary aromas (mushrooms in particular). Ripe nad intergrated tannins, med body and weight. Drink or Hold.
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Round 6 of wines served on NYE party. This was a cross between a modern and traditional style. Unmistakably Rioja but with more dark juicier fruit at entry. Nice cedar notes and bright acidity. Complimented Chorizo Sidre tapas beautifully.
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Hoping this just needs more time, as I wasn’t blown away by it at this stage. Still an enjoyable wine by all means, but not up to the level of other vintages I’ve had. 08 Ardanza is more accessible at this stage. Won’t be in a rush to open my next bottle personally.
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A fabulous La Rioja Alta, the 2005 Gran Reserva 904 is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano aged in American oak barrels. It opens with a kaleidoscope of subtle, alluring aromas of Japanese plum, dried leaves, dusty earth, mahogany wood, leather, pomander ball, dried mint, and Dutch cocoa powder. In the mouth, sueded tannins cradle a core of red and black fruit, slowly evolving slowly to reveal multifaceted layers. There's a good deal of finesse here, followed by a lengthy, languid finish. 13.5% ABV
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Good fruits now with good oakiness, smoky, leather and some savoury, marzipan and transparent minerality. Polished, mid weight, very good focus, easy to drink.
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Medium red color. Aromas of black cherries, leather and wood spices. Ripe, nicely balanced fruit in the mouth with excellent depth and length and fully integrated tannins and oak. Complex and supple on the palate. This delicious wine is at the very beginning of its peak drinking period and was outstanding with my wife's great pork tenderloin.
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La Rioja Alta Ardanza 2008: 89 points Very drinkable wine with a fairly concentrated nose with dominated by blackcurrant, strawberry, and cherry. Some herbal notes here and a little bit of vanilla. Full body wine with medium complexity, good length, and balance although there is a slight bitterness in the aftertaste. Overall, a quality wine representing good value for money.
La Rioja Alta 904 2005: 92 points A high-quality wine with a medium concentrated nose with predominantly blackcurrant and cherry, but also some liquorice and vanilla. A big step up from the Ardanza, more balanced, less noticeable alcohol and more developed tannins. It is also more complex, layered and has medium-plus length. A delicious high-quality wine that represents excellent value for money.
La Rioja Alta 890 2004: 93 points Undoubtedly a high-quality wine that has all the dark fruit of the 904 and is even more balanced and elegant. Higher complexity and length too but surprisingly not as much herbal and tertiary aromas as I was expecting. Maybe this is still too young? High-quality wine, no doubt, which is correctly priced but does not represent the same value for money as the 904.
Too young to my (very personal) taste. One can easily see, taste, smell the quality in this wine, but the acidity and tannins leave room for a long further development. My guess is that I should retaste this in 5 years and that it should be in a great place for 15 years from then on.
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Red fruit, sweet plum, leather, and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Good acidity with flavors of red cherries, menthol, red fruit, and tart berries on the palate. Good finish. 92+
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About an hour after decanting it opens up and fruit starts to balance the acid, although unsuccessfully as it it's still tilted significantly towards the acid. Tannins are in check. An archetype of Spanish elegance. A good foil to meticulously made paella.
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Drinking very well with an hour’s air. There’s no rush to drink these but oh so beautiful. Taut and high strung some might think, if they’re partial to extraction and fruit forwardness, but if you want a beautiful classic wine with mouth-watering acidity, black fruit infused with tea and spices, this wine is for you. 93 On day 2 it improved further, with a long lingering and satisfying finish. 94
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Lots of black fruit in this beautiful wine. Taste of blackberries, black cherries, some cloves, little acacia and a hint of vanilla from the oak used. Still a young wine, needs some air to explore itself.
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"Tempranillo (90%) & Graciano (10%) from vines over 40 years old in vineyards in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba. Alcoholic fermentation took place in s/s tanks @ 28°C & lasted 15 days. Batches were selected & allowed to complete malolactic fermentation naturally over 38 days. In March 2006, the wine was transferred to 4-year-old AM oak barrels (made in-house), where it stayed until March 2010. During ageing, the wine was racked every 6 mos using traditional barrel-to-barrel methods. After a settling period, the final blend was bottled in November 2010 [but not released until October 2015]." 13.5% ABV, 1.4 g/l Reduc. sug., 5.3 g/l T.A., & 3.61 pH.
N: Smoke, earth, vanilla, with notes of flowers
P: LM body; BEAUTIFUL frt/oak met by a pucker, yet retaining the frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG finish with an elegant swtness to the minimal tannins. My EXC+/Exceptional-, & EVERY *bit* deserving of its phenomenal press, IMO! 90 pts Decanter, 17 & 17.5/20 (2x) with a "Good Value" from Jancis Robinson, 96 pts, an "Editors' Choice," & WE's #1 Wine of '16 @ $50, plus NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg. [Wine-searcher still shows 2 U.S. sources in the $55-$60 range.]
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Still drinking very nicely, this bottle I noted a bit of sediment on the shoulder once empty. Reference prior notes:
3/24/2018 - I LIKE THIS WINE: 94 Points Black fruit, spices, and a healthy dose of american oak adding in cedar and vanilla. Truly wonderful and paired exceptionally well with a salt and pepper seared london broil. Reference 01/07/2017 note: A (94) overall evaluation.
1/7/2017 - I LIKE THIS WINE: 94 Points No need for a decant but letting it breathe for a bit certainly won't hurt. Classic traditional Rioja nose: spicy blackberries and coffee hints with all the American oak you can stand. Intense palate of black fruit, tart blackberry, coffee with steamed vanilla milk creamer, hints of earthy tomato paste and tomato leaf, topped off with a black pepper-anise-tobacco-well worn leather tannic finish. Surprisingly good acidity to complement the chewy, leathery tannins which contribute to the strong, substantial mouthfeel. Buzzzzoff's note sums this up well. Well met at $38 JJB, Overall Eval A (94).
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Wine Dinner featuring Paella (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake): Decanted this 2 hours. Showing amazing tonight. My wine of the night. The dill was up front but blew off quick. Wood, raspberries, tar and spices. A perfect Rioja that is still affordable. Drink now or hold for a few more years. I would not advise waiting a ton on these as they are really showing well.
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Paella (Margaux's Table): This is lively and joyful. There is some American oak dill but it is not that significant. Aroma of blackberry and a touch of spice on the end.
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Just as great as the last time. Elegant - maybe slightly more than two years ago - voluptuous but also tannic and lasting in its grip. Had it for a treat-myself pre-BD dinner on a Monday. I am blessed.
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Even a point better than a year ago; about as good as old-school Rioja can get (in my limited experience). Thrilled to have three more bottles in the cellar.
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There is no question this wine is from Spain. The oak still dominates over the wonderful cherry flavors of the fruit.This may be to the liking of some, but not me. Give this more bottle time. I could really be something special in a few more years.
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Terrific combination of much energy, balanced acidity, and delightful fruit. Evolved with air, going full-throtle after about 2 hours of decanting. Notable improvement relative to my last tasting in 7/2017.
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In perfect condition right now. Nose exploding with a perfume of wild strawberries, old leather, smoked meats and damsons. Fade on the colour, but complete palate, tannins fully integrated, lifted acidity, rich, perfumed, delicate and soft. A delight.
natural cork in good shape, this is ruby color with garnet hints, and so parfumed! red fruit (cherry and plum), wet leaves, orange peel, some balsamic and even mineral notes. High acidity, tanninous, showing flavours of fresh red cherry and plum, with medium body and a medium+ finish. Very good.
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Not quite the wow factor I was expecting for a 96 point wine, but very good nevertheless. Medium/full bodied, well balanced. Not a wine I have drunk a great deal of previously but would be surprised if it would last another 10-20 years, maybe 5ish?
A year and a half later and identical notes. Perhaps less vanilla and more integrated oak. Still very fruity and purple with some leather and cherry. Elegant and on the lighter side, not a heavily extracted wine. Much better on day 2, so perhaps this still needs time. 3 more bottles. Try again in 2020.
Very young and with real potential, densely packed with fruit, acidity, oak and tannin. Very nice acid backbone. A huge difference than the 2001 which is more delicate.
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From a magnum. Needs very long decanting, but still not terribly forthcoming. Lean berry and cherry fruit, softens with time. Highly perfumed tobacco and herbaceous lift, very fine texture with the right stuffing for a long and beautiful future. 91+ potential.
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American oak usually stands out for my palate but it is the perfect marriage for Rioja! Picked notes followed by pure vanilla with a hint of smoke, deep cherry fruit, loads of tobacco leaf and black tea. So pretty, balanced and delicious.
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Mother' day at Bricco. Damn this is everything Wine Enthusiast' said it was. Loads or character, this wine has soul. Marry up with serious food of character.
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Extraordinary wine! Old world Rioja done with perfection! Wine is balanced and harmonious, fruity yet restrained. Give it about an hour or more after opening and enjoy.
The oak is still a bit raspy. I know this is and should be always an oaky wine - it's proper for the Gran Reserva style. But best leave this wine some more years.
5-way Rioja tasting with 2004 Tondonia, 2009 Prado Enea, 2007 Ardanza and 2011 Muga Seleccion Especial. The expected winner actually came third but still a delicious wine that is set for more with some more bottle age.
2005 La Rioja Alta 904 Av 2001, 20014 og 2005 synes jeg denne har kommet lengst i modningsprosessen. Moreller, tørket frukt, vanilje, litt blomster på nese. Samme i munn. Bestemt syre og flott Tanninstruktur. Vaniljepreget er fremdeles kranglete.89 Dag 2: Langt mere bugundersk i stilen, med tørket frukt, litt spices , rips og tobakk. Helt finpolert, og fatbruken er bedre integrert. Frisk med bra lengde. Litt søt fruktstil. La ligge i 5 år til. 91
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Still going strong, and has both the fruit, tannin and acidity to develop from here. Balanced nose of red berries - cherry, strawberry, cola, vanilla ... still surprisingly fruity for a wine this age. Fresh and fruity in the mouth as well. Not the most persistent and complex taste in the world but extremely balanced and interesting - you really want to have the next sip. Happy I still have 12 left.
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Black fruit, spices, and a healthy dose of american oak adding in cedar and vanilla. Truly wonderful and paired exceptionally well with a salt and pepper seared london broil. Reference 01/07/2017 note: A (94) overall evaluation.
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Served pnp. Consistent with prior bottles, last tasted September, 2016. Bright crimson in color, this wine (90% Tempranillo/10% Graciano) reveals intense and focused aromas of camphor, saddle leather, vanilla bean and dried herbs on the nose. The mouth feel brought smoky elements, more dried herbs and a gamy, meaty feel. The finish was 45+ seconds of succulent dried red fruits, leather and perfect levels of acidity. 13.5% abv.
Purchased for $45US, this wine was paired with a medium-rare T-Bone steak tonight at a local BYOB. My GF ended up eating more of my steak than her double-cut pork chop when she realized what an awesome pairing this was. This was my last 2005 vintage of this wine. I'm kicking myself for not buying more at this price. This wine has many more years of life.
Medium garnet in color, with generous notes of cherry and strawberry making for a most inviting nose. Drinking delightfully, but this vintage is getting along in age, drink before 2021.
There's much to like about this wine, but the heavy-handed oak treatment is not one of them. If I'd know about the oak dominance in this wine before buying, I don't think that I'd have purchased 8 bottles. I'm hoping that the oak further integrates in the coming years, as this could still be a stellar wine. As it is, the oak creates a flavor imbalance that leaves one drinking an 85-point wine, at best. Frankenwines such as these are completely anathema to making wine in the vineyard.
Medium light red. Intense caramel, dill and dark fruit nose. The American oak dominates the nose. Very dry dark fruit flavours and a long tannic finish dominated by now smoky oak.
This could improve in time. I am surprised at how much oakiness this wine shows.
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Rubinrød med oransje kant. Nese viser tørket røde frukter, litt tobakk, vanilje kirsebær og lakris bak. Solid fruktkonentrasjon, men også en solid dose vanilje fra fat. Flott syre og fløyelsmyk tanninstruktur. Bra lengde. For mye eik nå. Trenger tid til å riste av seg dette.. 90 nå. Blir bedre om 10 år.
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Tasting at Kevin's 3/10/18 Beautiful oaky, leathery, earthy nose, with red fruit. Hints of dill (apparently result of American oak ?). Drinking perfectly in balance now. The oakiness is in perfect harmony with everything else. Lingering finish. I have several of the 07 vintage that I also rated 93 points. My red WOTN.
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A Last Minute Saturday Evening: Medium dark red color. Splash decant, drank 1 glass over 2 hours. I was really surprised how well this was drinking, really pretty right from the start. Evocative nose with a fine perfume of flowers, leather and red fruits, earth, with hints of dried wood and dill in the background. I love how the wood frames everything with subtle accents on both the nose and palate. The medium bodied palate shows a lot of earth, tart plum, tart berry, oak, tar and burnt embers, light dill, soft tannins and a long finish. Loved it. 93+pts.
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Color - Dark garnet Aromas - Aromatic dried red fruit, balsamic, cedar, damp earth and leather with hints of mocha and savory spice Body - Medium-bodied, elegant, layered and harmonious with fresh, tangy acidity Taste - Dried black cherry, plum, vanilla, leather, and subtle spice and mineral notes Finish - Long and savory
13.5% abv|$SRP - $45
Blend of Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Aged 4 years in used American oak.
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Beautifully dusty, smoky, spicy nose with dark fruit, leather and cocoa. Expressive, rather open and intriguing. On the palate more restrained, still rather firm tannic structure, great acidity, lovely fruit. Grippy and vibrant finish, very long. The best bottle so far, but this may well improve further. 93-95
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Delicious! Super fragrant, the aromas jump out of the glass. Medium body with fine grained tannins. A long lingering finish. Flavors of stewed cherries with smoke and licorice. Beautiful funky complex mushroom and truffle notes.
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A dramatic opening and softening from the two-hour mark to the five-hour mark. Really a delight to watch this unfold. rings like holiday chimes on the uplifting finish.
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The preparation of this wine , the procedures that the winery goes through makes this wine the result of almost mathematical precision.
And therein lies the enigma. ; it might be a formulaic wine, based on nothing more than good chemistry. But in reality it is a sublime work of art that supercedes protocols. It has, to be prosaic, a soul. It is ethereal. We are not fortunate enough to be well acquainted with this wine but on our first meeting we will be lifelong friends. We could give you the gen, the stats, the flavour, the nose and still it would merely hint at the overall experience.
Fantastic...............the first wine we really cannot attribute a score, it is that good.
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a very traditional Rioja form my perspective. Slightly sour cherry flavors with good minerality on an elegant but balanced frame. Not a tremendous amount of complexity or length on the finish as the acidity takes over. good food wine.
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My first bottle of this vintage, fruit was delicious, but on this bottle anyways something was not quite right, seemed a little out of wack for lack of a better descriptor.
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MNB: Rioja and Laterals (Home (Noe st)): (blind) Medium minus ruby to a garnet rim - shows some age or oxidation. Dried cherry, dusty earth, light dog fur brett, dried leaves, light oxidation - bruised apple. On the palate, dry, medium bodied, elevated alcohol - 13.5%, elevated acid, medium tannins - rounded and melted. Long finish - dried sour cherry, sweet tobacco, sweet bruised apple. There's also an acetic balsamic quality to this, and some used oak - dried, dusty baking spice. Beautiful mix of tamari cherry, VA, balsamic, brett, and oak. It reminds me of Musar.
Very Bordeaux-like, but no Pyrazines.
Call: Gran Reserva Rioja 2005, very good quality.
Actual: La rioja alta 2005 Gran Reserva 13.5% alcohol. Right on all counts!
Time has been kind thus far in integrating the wood. Fruit is starting to show through - especially after an hour. Chocolate and coffee and black fruits are most present, with the hint of some secondary funk appearing. Very nice and built for the long haul.
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Such a great wine. Keep coming back to La Rioja Alta's 904 Gran Reserva and it never diappoints. When I first popped the cork there is way too much vanilla coming from those american oak barrels but it blows off with air and integrates beautifully. Notes of sour cherry, balsamic vinager, strawberry, earth, licorice on the nose. Refreshing acidity. Oak, earth, cherry on the taste. Drying tannins although becoming very integrated. Highly recommendable.
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This was just perfect. I don't really know why I don't rate this higher other than for the fact that it has a reasonable price tag. Great wine from one of my favorite wineries.
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Bottle #1 of 2. Dang-it she needed to open, kinda started to open way late into bottle as we topped her off. Happens when in rush for holidays and bring a new unknown wine to family. Just set upright for sediment to fall and corked her 24 hours before; 25% of time w cork out. Sorry my mind was on Holiday so no details except was quite good tasting and all agreed, the Rioja fans more so. Seemed there is something brewing we did Not give time to form, yet still showed balance through and was pleasing to drink several glasses each. Excited about bottle #2, besides great taste, she should and think could reach a 93+ range if she comes together and opens fully. Hard to exactly pinpoint as she was quickly all gone, twas my fault senor Rioja, but you tasted quite nice.
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Keowee Wine Mixer; 12/2/2017-12/3/2017 (Seneca, SC): Tasted blind. This was one of the last wines so my discernment was getting difficult at this point, as I was not spitting. We ran out of space on the notes so I didn't have much else written as far as descriptors. So I only wrote a score of 89 and thought it was Tempranillo or Malbec. I would have expected more from La Rioja Alta, and this was the lowest score I assigned of the night.
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So much of the journey lies ahead here. The oak could stand additional integration and the acid will keep this trucking for years. That said? Awfully tasty right now with a fair bit of air. Just classic Rioja, right down the line. Lovely.
Absolutely delicious. Complex earthy, mushroom and black olive notes. Still a bit tannic but the wine mellows with some time in the glass. Long lingering finish that goes on and on.
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Nice strong Rioja, fully mature even though it's a new release... evidently they hold it for 15 years! We don't drink much Rioja so the taste is novel for us and we liked it, even if we can't describe it. A nice change from all the Cabs, Syrahs, and Zins we are used to.
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Dark fruit, vanilla, leather, cocoa powder, spices on the nose. Quite open and layered. On the palate still quite grippy, but certainly approachable. Pure fruit, lots of acidity, spicy finish. Very nice length. Drink or keep. 91-93
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Still very dense and strong, but we had to get a Rioja for a lamb meal. Dark color and fruity note. Already enjoyable, but will last for at leas10 more years. This is a great Rioja!
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A little disappointed with this one. Compared to another Gran Reserva of comparable caliber, this one fell flat. I have one more bottle of this and will save for a few years.
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So I understand why many wine-lovers gives this a good rating. It is polished, balanced and with good intensity and length. It's just not for me, I find it too fruity and sweet; I prefer it massively to the typical Napa fruit-bomb and would buy it as a good every-day wine, but still feel it lacks sophistication.
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Dark chocolate covered cherries on the nose with some dill and oak spice.
Dark fruit and more wood spice with a fairly good level of acid keeping things fresh enough. Clear american oak influence as per the style but fairly well integrated.
Drinking much better than the 2004 which will probably require much more time.
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Very nice. Surprising amount of fruit that continued to develop while it opened over a two hour period. Classic "dusty" earthiness that I love with Rioja.
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Very good, all in the right place, but I don't think this has entered its drinking window yet. 4 hour decant and didn't really open up and show itself. My sense is that this may need another 5 years before it lets its hair down and releases its full flavour set.
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This is bigger and more rich than the 2001 Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial. When first opened the wine was a bit sharp, but with an hour or two of air, it really opened up nicely. Glad I have more.
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Such an amazing wine for the price. Rich dark cherries, black tea, hint of tobacco, dusty red fruit, minerally, silky and elegant. Better than the 01 and 04 in my opinion.
Same rating as before. Restocked from BBX at a reasonable £30 a bottle. I just love this wine. Some may not like the American oak, but it suits me just fine. Lovely vanilla tones and ripe fruit. The tannins are still there. I think this will get better still.
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LRA delivers! Dark cheries, blackberries, cedar, low acidity, medium to full body, little too much oak, yet a lot better (less oak) than I remembered, good aftertaste. Drinking very well now up to 15-20 years.
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Wonderful wine! It has developed nicely. The only negative is that I wish the finish had been a little longer. Dark fruit, smooth with only slight tannins remaining. Great representation for an upscale Tempranillo from Rioja. May have to pick up the current vintage (2007) as it received similar accolades.
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Great promise but very young! Takes about 3.5 hours in the glass to open up (no decanter; it's 70ml sample from Coravin; first access). Slightly more open than the 2004. Both need another 4-5 years at the very least.
We decanted this wine and found no solids. It's very pure, but also very woody. It smells of sweet newly sawn oak. It does taste of sweet cherries primarily. All that wood gets in the way of any complexity in the overall structure of the wine. It seems young, but who knows how long it will go? Let's hope that a very more months of cellaring will improve things.
Very dark ruby purple - much darker than I remember the 2001. Sweet and sour dark cherry fruit and well integrated oak and stunning concentration. However, there's a slight hint of cork on the nose and palate spoiling the picture but it's clear there's excellent material underneath so judgement reserved. I'll just have to crack open another bottle. Ho hum...
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Perhaps there was an issue with storage pre-purchase, or maybe I was expecting too much, because I wasn't that impressed. Very hot, lots of pepper and quite a bit of bite for it's age...especially considering it didn't have a long finish. I did like the rosemary.
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A well made wine, Blackberries, black cherries and raspberry notes, Low acidity and integrated tannins, with an elegant medium body. Everything is smooth and balanced until a gigantic wave of oak and coconut hits you on the finish and persists for a while. American Oak is a bit too much for me, i hope it integrates but there is a lot of it.
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Lots of Old World elegance and balance, even if the oak is still too prominent. Improved over several hours of decanting. A consistently remarkable balance of acidity, tannins, and fruit, across vintages and within this vintage. LRA rocks.
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Blackberries and black cherries with notes of cedar and oak. A purity of taste reminiscent of a good Brunello. Integrated tannins, balanced and elegant. Drinking beautifully now and will probably last a while yet.
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A very good wine - just entering its drinking window. It really opened up well after an hour and drank well to the end of the bottle an hour later. Smooth silky - taste very typical for this grape in a good wine.
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Dark ruby hue that opens with dried leaves and rosemary. Full-bodied density that carries blackberry and fig on the palate and finishes long with wet gravel and cedar. Great balance of acidity/fruit with supple tannins.
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This was drinking very nicely upon opening but during the later part of our 4 hr. drinking window it seemed to loose quite a bit. 91 earlier falling to a 89
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Full of raspberry notes. Very smooth. No tannins. Seems to be rounding into the perfect time to drink for a 2005 vintage. Highly recommend grabbing and drinking a few.
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Artadi Night (Extra Space): Drank from bottle over 3 hours. Appearance is clear, medium intensity, ruby colour. Legs. Nose medium+ intensity, with aromas of barnyard, earth, dried red flowers, dark red plums, dark meat. Developing. On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (13.5%), smooth medium+ tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of dark red plums, boysenberries, dark meat, earth, toasty coconut and vanilla oak. Long finish. Very good quality. Pretty damm good QPR. Another 5+ years of development with integration of the oak and this is going to be very lovely. 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano.
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I expected this wine, poured after about an hour of aeration from magnum, to suffer somewhat in comparison to a terrific mag of Musar 97 with Lebanese food. Fortunately I was very wrong. I also would have expected some degree of infanticide, but rather it is in a beautiful place right now. Bigger than the Musar, of course, but not harsh or austere, with the telltale cherry vanilla and spice of a great rioja. Great balance and nice length. Perhaps a curmudgeon might call it "too advanced" for a magnum at 12 years of age, but I suspect it is at the beginning of a multi decade drinking window. And needless to say, a terrific value.
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La Rioja Alta make great wine, but I confess to being slightly disappointed by this vintage. It's instantly attractive, soft warm rich, but less interesting than earlier vintages.
When I first popped and poured I enjoyed the intensity of fruit and earthy flavors including tobacco. Nice with food. After I'd finished dinner, the wine cane across a bit thinner and drier, reminiscent of dried leaves. I'm curious how it will taste on day two. I've had vintages of this wine that are among my favorite expressions of Rioja. However this is borderline for me. I also tasted a 2001 recently thy didn't live up to my expectations.
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Blind tasting with the group (SLC): I've tasted this wine blind so many times I'm glad I finally figured out what it was. Garnet, slightly orange as well. Powerful nose, leather, blackberry, plum, currant, pomegranate and boysenberry. Oak is noticeable and has that coconut and dill you expect from classic Rioja, but it is very balanced and does not stand out. Everything is in balance, tannins, acid, alcohol. Beautiful wine
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Super solid Rioja, decanted over 3 hours. Red-brown color implied otential lack of fruit but the balance of fruit and acidity was spot on. In a good drinking window now, not sure I see it going much more than another 18 months.
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Clear, pale ruby in colour, no sediment. Clean aroma of red and a bit black fruits, cellar, sweet spicies, flowers, fallen leaves, vanilla, a tint of almond, med+ intensity, developing. Palate: dry, acidity med+, tannin med, alcohol med-, body med, intencity med+, red and a bit black fruits, cherry, fallen leaves, sweetness, earth tone, sweet spicies, vanilla, some oak, almond, finish med+. Outstanding, suitable for future aging. Harmonious wine, now looks less interesting and complex, than all the others, about 89, think, just needs inough time to develop.
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Seriously old school. Took a while to `live up' even though it had been opened 1.5 hours before drinking it. Fans of 'modern' wines will probably be put off. From my point of view, bless the people who still make this sort of wine!
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Medium ruby. All pine resin on the nose, which just gives me a viscerally negative reaction, just like the sickening florality one can sometimes find in Gewurztraminer. Medium weight, cherry and plum, some cocoa dust and spice, but at the end of the day, it is the oak that speaks most loudly and squashes everything else. It is always the same story from La Rioja Alta; beats me as to why I even keep trying them since I hate this style.
Decanted ~1 hour, consumed over ~2 hours. Dark red fruits on the nose, iron and earth, some barrel notes showing. There was a subtle papery aspect which I went back and forth on - was this the effect of oak or just the barest hint of TCA? It detracted very little in the end, and this matched well with both my lamb and my wife's spicy chicken dish. Very good, although for my palate and at the higher price, I'm not sure I would choose it often over either of the LdH reservas.
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Apperance : clear, medium ruby, with legs and pettilance
On nose :Double decanded for 2hrs, medium+ intensity, dry red berries, dry plum, followed with mushroom, a bit rusty, wet paper, liqourice, tobacco, cedar and sweet coconut oak aroma. Very typical American oak berral aging.
On palate, High acidity, medium+ flavour intensity, medium+ body, medium+ alcohol, mature and high tannin and well integrated. All aroma on palate could be found with quite savoury and dark chocolate bitterness flavour. Long finishing.
This wine is a good wine and it is a very ordinary Rioja, but it suprised me that the alcohol level(13.5%ABV) is a bit lower than the ordinary grapes of Tempranillo. Nice one, this is an elegant one with no doubt. It can be drunk now or aged for 5 more years for futher development
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Blind Spanish Tasting (château du Chevlin): Favorite of the group tasted and easily identified as LRA. Ruby/Garnet color, medium body, plum and sweet vanilla on the nose, after a few hrs open showed some tar notes. American oak very evident per usual.
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Slowly bt decanted over few hrs, color is deep ruby offering a mixture of red fruits and oak aroma. Very elegant on palate with balanced acidity and fruits. Quite oaky to the long finish. Best to pair with food.
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A bigger style Rioja, showing a nose of rich oak and some stewed berry and vanilla. Palate was smooth and well integrated with more cherry notes, dusty fruit, leather and wood. Well made and easy drinking.
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Impressive deep, complex and traditional Rioja nose showing blackberry, vanilla and dried plums followed by balsamic notes of forest floor, leather, tobacco and some chocolate. Harmonic, medium bodied and fruit driven mouthfeel matching the bouquet with fine tannins and acidity. Very long beautiful vanilla, dried plums and leathery finish. A TOP Rioja!
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Really very good indeed. Taken to a dinner party, pnp'd by the hosts at the end of the evening, not really ideal tasting circumstances, but really very fragrant - plum, mint, cocoa, dried herbs, soft palate - an hour of decanting would have done the world of good, but sitting very nicely at the moment and likely to improve for at least 5-10 years I'd say.
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My next try of this GR 904 as LRA is among my favourite bodegas from la Rioja, tried this 2005 vintage first at Haro, LRA S.A. last year, todays bottle is showing a strong fragrance with some ripe red fruit like amarena cherry and sweet lingonberry, coconut, caramel, white chocolate with hazelnut, starting with a fresh mouthfeel, some superficial savoury red fruit, ripe tannin, delicious and fullbodied texture with mineralic and fruity nut hints on the midpalate, ending long+, still youthful with a lot of lively acidity, very tasty with some aeration now but this 904 is just starting its Gran Reserva life, for the next decade(s)......, one remark to the rising 13,5% ABV of this 904, for me a little change of style to a more fullbodied wine, a little more international, only some vintages ago the GR 904 was the LRA example just for finesse and elegance with less alcohol, nevertheless still a delicious and superior young Rioja GR, **(**+), 90- 94+(+?)
I thought this wine spectacular. The nose was complex with leather, cedar, stones and light fruit. The balance was amazing standing on all four legs strong. The taste was more complex than the nose showing wonderful integrated tannin, light fruit, and mushroomed forest floor undertones. The expected oak was pronounced but totally in balance. The finish was long. The only thing this wine lacked was age. A great Rioja! A. 5 N. 8 B. 9. T 19 F. 4 95 points
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Classic Gran Reserva with all the complexity of redcurrant fruit, mocha, orange peel and savoury notes you'd expect. Clearly will develop for ages but superb now.
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Just an amazing wine all around with some aeration. I'm a huge Heredia fan but this has everything going on in its youth. Probably at peak in 10-15 years.
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Bright but lighter purple/red; Forest floor nose; immediately drinking on pnp and improving over the hour, chalky texture, cherry, an easy wine to drink on pnp, alcohol in check. I am really enjoying the easy access to this somewhat lighter styled rioja. Enough tannins/acid to continue to mellow for years, maybe ten or so years. Drinking window 2017 to 2027 or more.
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Nice medium body fruity with nice aging, well balanced and long light tannin. I enjoyed it thoroughly but was disappointed when looking at the "professional" ratings. I was hoping for the 92-94 wine, which this bottle was not. A good wine but not worth the$40-50 current pricing.
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Consumed with cheese so dulled the flavors a bit. Still a very nice rioja. A slight green note on the nose but not on the taste. Saturated jammy red and plum flavors. Good acidity and length.
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Bathed in American oak. Vanilla, dill, cinammon, spices, but it definitely has bright red fruit and some leather. Actually much lighter bodied and not very tannic. I expected denser and more extracted. Elegant and lively and very pleasant. The only people that won't like this are those who can't stand American oak. Drink now or over the next 20 years.
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Tasted blind. Immediate hit of marshmallow, cotton candy, jellybean, just comical levels of new American oak. The palate, despite some acrid oak, is silky and fleshy and somehow lithe and sweetly fruited. A few hours in the decanter and the obnoxious oak is mostly gone leaving behind a very pretty wine. This has to be CVNE or La Rioja Alta. A good wine full of promise.
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looking forward to trying after all the press. Purchased at costco for $45, convenient for the price. after drinking over 2 hours I have to say that I'm not swooning over this. The 2004 Vina Ardanza I much more preferred. This is rioja, but feel at it's at peak or slightly past. Lithe and for me I need a little more fruit to prop up. maybe should have had with paella vs the steak I grilled. I'll try one more time.
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This wine was really tight when opened it! We were not happy at fist taste. However given 20 minutes in the glass, it began to mushroom onto a very nice wine!! The wine looks purple colored and the legs are medium height. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like cinnamon. The body is medium. The wine has leathery texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has low acidity.
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Drinking well. It will be much better in 2-3 years. Needs to decant about two hours if drinking today. Bit bright and acidic without decanting. Mellowed out after sitting a couple of hours.
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This bottle showed as being a bit cooked. There were hints of what is in the other notes here and there. Some floral notes peeking out and then maybe some hints of rich fruit but mostly just baked over wine. Possible storage shipping issue here or maybe the vast majority of other drinkers here are smoking something. You decide.
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Must be an off bottle. Drank from coravin. Tastes like orange juice. Like somebody poured orange juice into a slightly used wine barrel. It's drinkable but not great.
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No need for a decant but letting it breathe for a bit certainly won't hurt. Classic traditional Rioja nose: spicy blackberries and coffee hints with all the American oak you can stand. Intense palate of black fruit, tart blackberry, coffee with steamed vanilla milk creamer, hints of earthy tomato paste and tomato leaf, topped off with a black pepper-anise-tobacco-well worn leather tannic finish. Surprisingly good acidity to complement the chewy, leathery tannins which contribute to the strong, substantial mouthfeel. Buzzzzoff's note sums this up well. Well met at $38 JJB, Overall Eval A (94).
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Still plenty of cherry and raspberry, with bags of oak flavour (coconut and vanilla), especially in the finish. Quite a strong balance of sweet and sour. - nice complexity and structure. One of the best wines out there.
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Probably should rate a point higher but waiting to see with the next bottle. These two bottles were very consistent Rioja that was a very pure expression of the terroir and method of wine making. The major take away was that these were not over the top with oak but well balanced between dark fruit, oak, acidity. Smooth velvety mouth feel with a rich mid-palate of dark red fruit and a nice lingering finish. Well integrated tannins yet plenty of life remains. I would open at least one hour before serving but don't necessarily believe it needs decanting.
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Drank over three days. A robust, forward, and approachable style for high quality Rioja, reminiscent of the 2006 Muga Prado Enea. Loud bouquet of purple fruits, loam, lumber, and the oxidative elements for which Rioja is known. Dense, even chewy on the palate, showing more concentration and power than precision and finesse at this point. In particular, not as piercing as the 2001 vintage when tasted in October 2014. Certainly a wine of substance, yet unresolved. The most enigmatic aspect to this wine is the acid level, which seemed low by Gran Reserva standards. This may be because the wine's substantive yet open style wears the acid well...but a lingering question remains. The wine also shows best served at 60 to 62 degrees.
A bold and young offering that should be cellared for three to five years and by that time should provide a better indication of its long-term aging potential. If scoring for right now, 93 points, with an upside.
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Catado a ciegas con un buen Borgoña y un buen Burdeos su relación calidad precios es abrumadoramente superior. De color granate con ribete abierto. La nariz tiene volumen y muy buena definición con recuerdos a mina de lápiz, sándalo, fruta roja, pimienta negra... En boca tiene buen ataque, algo maderoso aún, tanino presente, textura terrosa, paso cremoso, buena acidez, estructura media y notable longitud. Tostados en el retronasal. Muy bueno.
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Medium body. Classic rioja flavor. I liked this a lot, but it was a bit too acid. Bottle variation? Otherwise good balance and length. Have two more and will report back. 2/4/19: N: Lovely Rioja aroma P: Not overly acid at all, perfectly balanced. Light, deep but delicate and very very long. Just superb! Pnp, took only a few minutes to open. One stellar bottle. However, I wonder how much bottle variation there is here. IIRC Rioja Alta is not so careful, if that's right it's a bit of a crap shoot. But when you hit a good one, look out! Drunk over three days, kept in fridge with a Repour stopper. Some slight decline on the third day. 11/20/21: 2nd and last bottle. Drinks well, but no cigar this time. Guess I was right about bottle variation!
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The Rioja Alta is a very traditional Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. It has had time to age and it's perfect for consumption right now. Medium body with smooth tannins, acidity still present but not aggressive, light finish, great Aroma. It represents outstanding value when compared to some other Rioja wines.
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Old world, spontaneous malo funk. Bright ruby, pine needles and cherry liqueur. Concentrated red fruits and dried plum mingle with camphor, smoky hung meat and lip smacking tannins. Balanced like a custom made fidget toy spinner. Buy more now, drink or hold.
Had not had this producer and was very impressed. Nose of dill pickles and buttery notes in the best way followed by cherry fruit, dust, fresh tilled earth, spices, tea and great acids.
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After a two-hour decant, this wine had an excellent and enticing nose but, while extremely smooth, lacked vibrancy beyond the middle of each sip. The wine fizzed into a muddle of excess alcohol and did not offer any of the desired secondary or tertiary notes beyond the very pleasing initial sensations. Quite a disappointment.
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Very enjoyable. Smokey nose with tar and tobacco. Saturated black fruit with a beautiful tannic spine balanced by lovely acidity. The finish goes on and on. Hard to put this down.
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Wonderful Rioja. Ruby red colour. Starting to show its age as colour fading on the rim. Fairly light-bodied (like the '01 although maybe just a tad more density). On the nose ripe red fruit / berries. Some spices. Very slight animalistic element, hint of blood but faint and indeed pleasant. Minerality too, with some dark component - tar or licorice. Incredibly balanced wine which shows off something new for each sniff and sip. Refreshing acidity. Very fine tannins. Such great value for money.
Gorgeous. Vibrant nose - cherry leather, cinnamon spice, everything nice - and impressive structure that stood up well to an impromptu fabada asturiana with chorizo and blood sausage. Finished dry but with just enough fruit and acid. All that said, I feel like I opened this one too early. Wish I had more. I might just go and get some.
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En Magnum: Really delicious Rioja. Orange peel, cedar, cloves, cinnamon, leather, smoked meat... but something beguiling about it. Wonderful, drink from now...
(Decanter FWE 2016) :: Again, the purity and precision of this wine is striking. Very expressive, with the usual clove, orange peel and leather tones. Feminine, fresh and superbly structured.
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One of my favorite wines has been, and probably always will be, Rioja Gran Reserva. Just an elegant wine, with aromas bursting from the glass of strawberry, candied cherry, vanilla, bramble, and earth. There's something akin to a tawny port with this wine. Medium bodied, with complexity, and solid structurally so as to allow for further maturing in the cellar.
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Such a lovely, traditional Rioja. Medium bodied, red fruits, long finish. Four years in the barrel added interesting notes. Can imagine drinking this again in 10 years.
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Deep and dark purple. Tight, still a baby. Vanilla from the oak is very much in the forefront, still beautiful fruits on the nose and on the palate. This will improve over the next 10 years I bet. Hold.
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A classical Rioja, cherry, vanilla, elegant and fruity, refreshing acidity with ripe tannins, alcohol well balanced, the finish could be more complex to be a real great Rioja. Maybe too young,great vintage (50+5+13+17+8)
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I had big expectations regarding this wine, but it did not deliver. Nose is subtle, strawberry, leather, tobacco. On palate it is acidic, light bodied, with hints of cherries and liquorice. It got 96 points from Wine Advocate, no idea why. Maybe a different bottle will be better, let's hope so.
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Opened yesterday. Lovely red color. Excellent legs. Just barely beginning to show lightning at the rim, it clearly has many years to go. The nose is a knockout. Brambly, softly fruity, shows just beautiful oak overtones, with baking spices. Very generous and expressive. Really special in the mouth as well. Excellent fruit, nuanced with pretty vanilla notes. Extremely long and excellent aftertaste. At 40 bucks, this is a wine to buy for drinking now and for many years into the future. Quite a great one. 5-13-18-9: 95/100.
Red with orange hue and light rim, on the nose - red fruits, earth, leaves, spices, palate is very balanced, smooth and tasty, everything in place, medium body, long finish. And most probably has long life ahead...
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(BBR Spain Tasting) :: Crimson. Bright, pure. A beautiful and feminine nose, showing clean notes of clove, red cherry, leather. This follows through to the palate, which is vivid, fresh and expressive.
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Dinner at a friend’s place. Wines were tasted blind. Ultra classy and sophisticated Rioja Gran Reserva. Delicate and elegant. Aromas of prunes, lush black cherries, wild berries, leather, tobacco, earthy notes and fallen leaves are paired with decidedly more distinctive notes of clove, cinnamon and coconuts. Excellent structure, velvety and ripe tannins, and with lively acid. Long-lingering aftertaste. Fantastic vintage, with no temperature extremes and the right contrast between day and night temperatures throughout the season. Approachable now, but the best will continue for at least another 15 years and more. This wine has lots of time left to be savored. A textbook case of a classy Rioja tinto. 94+
Blindverkostung. Ultraklassischer Rioja Gran Reserva und äußerst fein. Backpflaume, satte Kirschfrucht, Waldbeeren, Leder, Tabak, Erde, Laub, deutlich Gewürznelke, Zimt und Kokusnuss. Wahnsinnsstruktur, samtige, reife Tannine, frische Säure und mit sehr langem Nachhall. Wirkt dem Jahrgang entsprechend auch noch jung. Textbook case eines Rioja. Der hat’s auch nicht wirklich sehr eilig. 94+
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The 2005 Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is a truly impressive blend of predominantly Tempranillo and smaller traces of Graciano. It has a dense crimson core and enticing aromas of burnt tar, cassis and wild game. Medium to full bodied and deliciously delicate it gently envelops the palate with well rounded, silky tannins and leaves an irresistible, long lasting velvety finish. This is a textbook expression of Rioja in the early stages of maturity and with a long life ahead. To be enjoyed over the next two decades.
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Tasted next to their 2004 Gran Reserva 890. On the nose dark, ripe fruit, vanilla, smoke, spices, earth. Soft and quite sweet on the palate. Powdery tannins, good acidity. Very round and harmonious. Persistent finish. Drink or keep. 91-93
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Lovely, seductive nose. Tobacco, chocolate, cherries on the palate. Well defined, fine grained tannins. A little hollow initially but this resolved as it opened up.
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Very balanced Rioja, drinking beautifully right now. Hot at first, a one hour decant brought out earth, leather and dark fruit. Continued to open up and soften over next two hours. BOTN
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This wine is medium bodied, ruby colored wine. After opening, it took at least an hour for it to come around. There are notes of old leather, blue berries and wet earth. There are also hints of cinnamon spice and licorice. This wine is a classic example of the old traditional Rioja style Tempranillo. This paired very well with roasted rack of lamb.
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Apologies in advance for my dilettantic verbosity, but I can’t seem to find the knack of encoding the information into 2 lines. It's more or less a condensed script to this little video I just uploaded (click !).
Summary: I find myself resonating with the remark on a somewhat greenish imbalance by NickBurwood below, dated June 23rd, 2016, except I would add mention of a touch of oxidized and/or alcoholic imbalance at the back end. This drawback subtracts a bit off an otherwise fairly high level though (the nose alone is certainly a 92 at least), so I wouldn’t go as far down as he does and stop at 90 – surely with potential upwards and far from claiming that the emperor has no clothes. Still, I won’t buy again and will be content with my 3 bottles of the 2004. My interest now turns to the Viña Tondonia.
Day 1:
I have no idea why I seem to find something like cooked and sugarless compote of unripe strawberry, even some plum, in there where everybody else (except henrygjeffreys maybe) finds “cherry”. I assume that’s because…
It meets me rather fruit acidic on the palate, and on the nose in a slowly arising cloud of subtle leather, mushroom, even truffle, dead autumn leaves on wet ground (after roughly t = 1 hour decanting in the broad Schott Zwiesel Burgunder chalice) and even a nice nicotine note (t = 4 hours), resulting in an illusion or totality of a rather coniferously embedded cassis-like dry fruit.
… the sourness of which seems to forbid the association with strawberry and might lead to embarrassment and hence “cherry” offers itself as the escape door to safer grounds on which all the trembling puzzled meet by default. How I would want to blend in with the choir ! Alone, my conscience denies, because verily, I have smelled at cherries over and over to prove myself wrong, yet the fact remains that cherries apparently don’t smell in my vicinity. At all !
All of these notes are measured and subtle, calm and brooding, nothing overbearing and loud. I guess you would have to call that elegant or better yet aristocratic. Except there is a tiny alcoholic imbalance which I wouldn’t have expected in a wine of that price point and with no more than 13.5% (yes, 13.5%, don’t trust the online data !).
I also can’t agree that it be very tannic because the acidity seems very much more like fruity sourness rather than astringent, mouth drying tannins. Can almost hear Harley1199 typing that “it needs a lot of time for the acidity to soften”.
Day 2: The main change is basically that the nose has come together more beautifully and the mushroomy and earthy notes are now conspiring to give an overall rusty impression.
I skipped days 3 and 4, left the rest (a little more than a third) in the bottle using only a natural cork, not a vacuum stopper, to finish it on...
Day 5: ... which is today. But the slightly oxidized and alcoholic note didn’t somehow integrate into something else while the nice nose has flattened off a bit, so I doubt that this aspect will improve much through further long bottle aging.
N: Vanilla, raspberry, plum, very intense. P: Medium to med plus tannin, medium acid, great balance, plum, spice, goji berry on the back end F: long finish, grape fruit roll up, a little woody I really enjoy these wines, LRA gets it done, very good QpR.
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some brick colour TObacco and coconut on the nose, some strawberries - classic nose Firm acidity, strawberries, melty tannins, so refined Long with lovely layered finish Gorgeous
Dark Carmine red; starting to brick a little at the rim. Sweet berry fruit, a touch of leather and dust on the nose; on the palate dry with substantial tannins present which start to integrate plus a touch of sweetness... An international style of wine but not as much as I had feared reading the review of the 12 Glotones. Certainly not the typical Rioja of old, more reminiscent of a full bodied Chateauneuf-du-Pape; but I have had worse, for instance the more recent vintages of Muga..
Red berries on the nose with a hint of barnyard. Medium body. Smooth mouthfeel with a slight spicy kick at the back of the throat. Medium tannins and acidity. I enjoyed this.
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Tasted blind. Very herbal, savory nose. Not many wines are this herbal. Some licorice. Tart red berry fruit, balsamic in character. Not a ripe wine at all. Maybe from a difficult vintage. Tannins are modest but they do assert themselves. Sneaky tannins.
I would narrow this either to a sangiovese-based wine or to Rioja. But Rioja isn't typically this herbal. This is Italian in spirit. There is also a "brownness" to the aroma, and I always remember Jancis Robinson linking sangiovese to brownness. But the acidity of this wine reminds me so much of Rioja.
But I've said that before when tasting non-blind. And I just don't remember any Rioja having this much licorice or this much herbs. So I say: Italy, Sangiovese. Traditional in style, not heavily extracted, not too ripe.
Rating: 92
One more thing I'll say before removing my blinders. This wine opened up considerably after a short decant.
P.s.: damn. It's clearly Rioja!
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The 2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is an outstanding success I have tasted this wine on numerous occasions this year and it has delivered immense pleasure on every occasion. Superb aromatics, a gorgeous texture that seduces you with every sip. The quality to price ratio is for me unsurpassed. Bravo this is what great wine is all about. Stunning food wine especially with game. La Rioja Alta are at the top of their game.
Consistent with prior bottle. Bright crimson in color, this wine (90% Tempranillo/10% Graciano) reveals intense and focused aromas of camphor, saddle leather, vanilla bean and dried herbs on the nose. The mouth feel brought smoky elements, more dried herbs and a gamy, meaty feel. The finish was 45+ seconds of succulent dried red fruits, leather and perfect levels of acidity.
Purchased for $45US, this wine blew me away tonight. Served pnp, it continued to get better throughout the 90 minutes it was open during dinner. Wow, this is an absolutely delicious bottling.
No formal notes - over dinner. Again very good; round, complex well balanced with ripe tannins and good fruit. Layered on the palate showing very good length. Drink or keep. 92-94
Three consistent bottles here. A bit of a mass market product and at this young age the American oak is a bit too much for the wine. Well round almost drowned at times in it, still with firm core of fruit and decent structure. Last time we tried it ( Papies 90) we found a bit the tannin to be dry in the finish but it did not feel at all like that this time.88-89
Vibrant cherry reddish on the eye. Bouquet of toasted vanilla cream, nutty and espresso. Palate of sweet cherries, subtle tannings, vanilla-nuts. Exceedingly pleasant, fairly complex finish. We see a lot of life left in this drop (barely legal), and we are happy to have more than a few bottles with which to dance during that time.
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NR - consistently disappointing over two days. Maybe just too young for my tastes. Cherry fruit spoiled by unbalanced tannin and acid marring the finish.
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Spanish Mixed Bag, Summer of 2016; 7/2/2016-7/15/2016: Magnificent young Rioja. Lots of berry and stone fruit, perhaps surprisingly so for a Gran Reserva. Sophisticated. Had me thinking of a fine, mature Pomerol.
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Glyndebourne (Meistersinger); Leiths Middle and Over Wallop. Limited note taking but while perfectly enjoyable I felt that dense cherry and cooked red fruit flavour was covered in veneer of of rather green OTT taught acidity that was out of balance. Whether this was lack of breathing, immaturity or the wine was hard to tell. Disappointing compared with other vintages of this wine based on this bottle although by no means unpleasant.
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Full body. Fragrant nose. Dark fruit, cassis, linzer tart, cedar, and dark cherry with a touch of vanilla. Sweet, soft tannins, but a nice medium acidity. Not sure this is a long haul wine, but a few more years should continue to extract secondary flavors. Regardless, very drinkable now. Excellent value.
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A very good all rounder ready now but with quite a few more years to age and develop. Nice balance, good rich fruit, good oak, american of course, nice length and still very much on the fruit. Only bad feel from it was that the tannin felt a bit dry on the finish. 90-91
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Enjoyed this one quite a bit, but wouldn't go as high on the score as others. Complex fruit on the nose and palate, cherry liqueur, backed by some other early mature notes, leather, minerals. Fresh and good depth. A tremendous value for the quality. No rush to drink, but will likely drink remaining bottles over the next few years. Wishful thinking probably, but perhaps it will drink as nicely as the 2001 someday!
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Appears to be few years behind the 2004 of the same wine. Even after several hours of decanting, tasted vigorously acidic and overly energetic with notable tannins. Classical notes of LRA rioja on the palate. Should be really good in a few years.
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Really great PnP. SIL grabbed dill right out but really showed how well a great Rioja can be with age an American oak. Wish I had more than 2 bottles Left.
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Shiny, dark ruby red turning crimson rust at the rim with a transparent edge. The nose gives off red cherry skins, tobacco, old saddle leather, cured meat, and smoke. It is dry, vibrant and intense whilst maintaining a silky, elegant mouth feel on the palate. Flavors of red cherry, licorice, scorched earth, espresso, and tar are ensconced by fleshy tannin that leads to a long, bracing finish with hints of toasted oak. This is quite feisty for a La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva - perhaps reflective of the vintage. One of the best I've tasted from this producer. This trails the 2001 and may even be better than the 2004 in the long run. Drink now with a 30-minute decant until 2025. 95+
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Ruby in colour turning garnet where it meets the glass, suggesting that aged complexity may be lurking. An incredibly perfumed nose of cherry liqueru, strawberry, herbs, spices and smoky barbecued meat says that this wine should be special. Only medium bodied, but the concentration of flavours is incredible: punchy dark cherries; ripe juicy strawberries; bitter dark chocolate; mint; herbs; earthy frost floor; and, juicy game still oozing blood. It is all there in abundance, not fighting against each other but rather working together in perfect harmony, joined by a mineral infused almost saline chorus. There is sufficient acidity to give a lovely refreshing zest and a strong frame of ultra fine sweet tannins gives structure from inception to the long finish. This is a classical, well balanced, medium bodied Rioja that shows what the region has to offer. Truly superb and at the price, a complete barging. Buy, drink, enjoy!
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Garnet in colour with an evolved nose featuring leather, tea and blood under a frame of smoke and flinty stone. Rich and layered with additional aromas of bitter almond and mushroom on the palate. Silken and persistent and very elegant overall.
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We decanted the wine for one hour and consumed it over a period of another two hours. It was medium ruby in the center and turned garnet towards the edges, and offered a great nose of red cherry, strawberry, chocolate, espresso, spices, cinnamon, herbs and autumn leaves. On the palate the wine showed cherry, strawberry, chocolate, coffee, herbs, spices, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, tobacco and black tea, with medium to medium-plus acidity, smooth, well-integrated tannin and superb length. This traditional-style, medium-bodied Rioja was very balanced and drank very well. Superb! Very good value.
Another delightful LRA experience which may justify a higher score in short order. The 2005 opened with a surfeit of dried leather, supple, rough velvety purple/ dark red smoke and cherry, but then, even after 45,minutes in the decanter, devolved into a more tannic, closed bottle. So time is clearly needed. My experience with the wonderful 2004 was that it took 6 months for the elements to emerge n a unified fashion. Given that 2004 was a great vintage, the 2005 may emerge more quickly. One of the very knowledgable CT reviewers noted the " new world" nature of the usually far superior 890; the 904 does not show that despite a hint of sweet fruit at the outset.
Sour cherries, leather, savoury, oak and vanilla, the latter two not to an overpowering extent luckily, all the features of a good 904. Quite approachable but I would give this more time.
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this wine is definately one of my favourites. intense in color and a great deep aroma with lots of vanilla, berries and length. the finish was famous with just right level of acidity. had some left over the next day and this wine even could hold up for next day. will get more for my cellar.
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A striking wine - smoke and tar and vivid red fruit on the nose. Lush mouth feel - exceptionally smooth. Assertive flavors with sweetness on the finish - whether from tannins or from the wine itself I don't know. Lengthy finish. The wine is a bit of a contradiction - Old World on the nose and New World, in part, in the mouth. Whatever you call it, the wine is striking and an experience in and of itself. It stands out - for good or ill. To me - 90% good.
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I think the amount of variability in these reviews comes from stylistic preference. This is an old world style to be sure, but the nose is vibrant, the presence of oak is graceful, and it brings ample blackberry fruit with leathery notes. There is plenty of acidity and fine tannins lending a very nice texture to the wine. No surprises, and a very good bang for your buck in Rioja
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Bright crimson in color, this wine (90% Tempranillo/10% Graciano) reveals intense and focused aromas of camphor, saddle leather, vanilla bean and dried herbs on the nose. The mouth feel brought smoky elements, more dried herbs and a gamy, meaty feel. The finish was 45+ seconds of succulent dried red fruits, leather and perfect levels of acidity.
Purchased for $45US, this wine blew me away tonight. Decanted for 30 minutes, it continued to get better throughout the 60 minutes it was open during dinner. Wow, this is an absolutely delicious bottling.
Imported by Skurnik Wines, New York, NY.
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Better than expected. Still vibrant. We drank after Shafer Hillside Select, 2005. Loved the Schaffer, but this Spanish wine was a worthy follow up. Drink with confidence
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Epic wines on a Friday Night (Home (Noe st)): Absolutely textbook Rioja. Complex and so elegant. Coconut/Dill oak. Well balanced. Medium structure all over. Opened after an hour into broad and intense blackcurrant!
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Wow! Very unique, but excellent wine! Strong hints of coconut and tar, with just enough blackberry fruit to make this extremely enjoyable. Velvet on the palate, but fairly short finish. Give this a try, promise it will be a unique experience. Decanted for 1+ hours.
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Served with grilled lamb, greens. Decanted 1 hour. Overall concur with recent notes. Blackberry, earth, red fruit, hints of tar and coconut. Lovely nose, at first, while compelling, slightly muted but then getting richer. Good acid balance. Quite delicious and interesting, though I think it was a bit tight and reserved. I suggest longer decant +/or more bottle time, as it certainly has the makings of longer life.
Too I'd note that I had originally tasted the wine at a local store, and found more floral quality on the rich base.
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Yum. It may be a new release, but this is singing. Excellent match with dry aged rib steak, and a nose full of berries with leaves and earth. Not as oaky to my palate as others have said, although there is some vanilla and butterscotch on the palate. Delicious, well integrated, and should be a long lived wine.
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Tasting pour at a Spanish wine tasting. Great nose of tar, licorice and wet gravel. This was all about dark fruit, multi-layered with blueberry, black raspberry , cherry, ripe fig and a touch of black pepper at the end. Went back and had a second taste from a bottle opened hours earlier and it was even better. Good to go for years but fun and tasty to drink now!
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Tasted at Country Vintner Mid Atlantic Spring Tasting.
Mature and really nice, but i think the Ardanza 2007 Reserva is just as complex for $12 less wholesale.
Lighter than expected. the American oak influence is big but well integrated. Fruit is approaching brown with lots of raisin and fig jam. Pleasantly ripe. My memory of this isn't super clear unfortunately.
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Don's 48th (Home): Decanted and aerated for about 2 hours. Tons of waxy oak on first smelling this wine. This gave way to a fairly well balanced wine on the palate with good acidity, mild woodiness, and cherry flavors.
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Apagado en nariz, austero, sin la habitual expresión de crianza tradicional que caracteriza a este vino en sus primeros años de vida. Frutos negros macerados, cuero, barrica sin integrar, humo, regaliz negro, especias... Sin orden alguno, sin personalidad.
En boca es brusco y concentrado, tostado, ampuloso, redundante, con mucha estructura. Difícil de beber, cansino, sin apenas frescor y sin un atisbo de alma propia. Esto es lo que le hacen a los elefantes en la India. Se merece los 96 puntos Parker!!! "A great classic... At this quality level this is a bargain". Fina ironía Luis Gutiérrez!!!
Hay un evidente cambio de estilo por parte de la bodega. Un vino "sospechosamente" moderno que naufraga en la centenaria historia de la bodega. No es esto lo que uno busca en un 904, por lo que se está dispuesto a pagar 30 euros. Si la bodega busca cosechar grandes puntuaciones para acercarse a nuevo público y llenar la caja pues nada sería mejor que crear una nueva marca y dotarla de contenido. No se puede vivir de rentas. La palabra que mejor resumen este vino es decepción.
Wine Info - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90% tempranillo, 10% graciano. 13.5% vol. - La tempranillo proviene de los viñedos propios, con una edad superior a 40 años, ubicados en subzona de la Rioja Alta, principalmente de los municipios de Briñas, Labastida y Villalba. El resto de la uva es originaria de las fincas Melchorón I y II de Briones y Rodezno. La fermentación alcohólica se desarrolló en 12 días, descubándose cinco días después. La fermentación maloláctica se desarrolló en depósitos de acero inoxidable a lo largo de 15 días, seguido de una selección de lotes que completo la maloláctica tras 38 días. En marzo de 2.006 los vinos pasaron a criarse en barricas de roble americano de 225 litros de fabricación propia, con una media de edad de 4 años. Sometido a trasiegos manuales de forma periódica cada 6 meses por el método tradicional de barrica a barrica, a la luz de la vela. Transvasado a depósitos para ser embotellado en noviembre de 2.010. Un mínimo de 5 años de guarda en botellero en los calados de la bodega antes de ser comercializado, en noviembre de 2015. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
just arrived, huge fruity nose powerful taste big and oaky with fruit and spices like Californian Cab but a touch of spice really fun to drink. Ater 3 hours it still had a big fruit taste like it had just been opened
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A week at Bilbao and en la RIoja: Privat tasting at the bodega, again a change of style here, fresh red berry nose, needs some airation, on the palate fine melting, but again very concentrated body, at the moment moderated by the acidity, cherry tones, tobacco, balanced wine, long+ aftertaste, but again....., how will this wine age? no tengo idea! *(**-?)86- 89+- ?
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Good Wine but I think you can get as good or better representation of Rioja for $20-$30 (this was $50). Day one was a bit austere, though not overly. Approachable, floral and leather aromas with some dried cherry and raisin notes on the nose. What seemed strange to me was that the second day, more of the barrel was evident with vanilla essence, spice notes and the fruit, definitely rounder, very strong attack and mid palate.
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This was closed and not as impressive as the Ardanza 2007. It had smokey aromas of strawberries, leather, spice, red cherries and tea leaves. Its medium bodied textured and silky yet unknit palate is more reticent and austere, with highish acidity and oak. Has a very long finish. Will be superb in five or so years. Needs 3-4 hr decant.
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Beautyful typical rioja nose, earthy and smokey. palate nice too, elegant though a tad too light for my taste. Well constructed. Conclusion: an authentic, typical but lighter rioja. Bit pricey for that matter.
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A heavily-oaked wine with a slightly buttery nose. Mouth of fresh cherries, a touch earthy, and with an acidity that briefly outlasts the mild tannins. The wine is fine, but does not express the variety in any noticeable sense. One should be able to expect more from a wine in this price range.
Really nice, classy, dark berries, full ripe fruit. Lots of oak and vanilla. A hint of tea and orange rind. Herbs and a bit of a bell pepper note. Tannins were there, but pretty mellow and do not get in the way. All in all, if you are OK with oak, this is very enjoyable right now.
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This is a nice wine, but the oak is way over the top. It is fully ripe, mature and sweet, with enough acid to bridge the mid palate to the finish until the dryness from the remaining tannins finally overcome the oak. Drink this alone or with other oaky Riojas or it might overwhelm the other wines or become outclassed. Drink or Hold
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Medium dark garnet color. Rich nose of initial barnyard funk and wet earth, slowly evolving to more traditional Rioja elements of oak, tight small berry, some orange peel, clove, and pen ink. Palate is taught and well balanced, showing youth and age ability. Elements of tea leaf, tart berry, cedar, oak, and a finish of grand marnier. Still a baby and can see this mellowing with age - right now a bit bigger and new world then I would have guessed.
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Splash decanted and drank over 2hrs. This wine was what one would expect from a traditional, well made rioja. Medium weight, quite fine, and well composed with a prominent acidic backbone; however, too young at this point with its less than subtle oak influence and vanilla notes. At least 5 more years needed for the wine to integrate better. Probably better off drinking the Vina Ardanza now while waiting for the gran reserva to come around.
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Orange garnet color, showing attractive scents of vanilla, dill, walnut, and dried cherry. Lovely clarity, with smooth texture and detailed flavors of vanilla, red fruit, and dusty earth. Long long finish. Very enjoyable now, but will last a long time. 92-93
If you haven't tried 904s or 890s, get off the phone or computer and buy a bottle. Holy smokes. Orange cooking spices, tart cherry, cumin, fig skins, black olive. A wow wine. Will age for decades.
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Already impressive - medium weight, food-friendly palate with lots of interest: chocolate, mint, liquorice, plum, cedar flavours/aromas are well knit, nothing out of place; delicate acid backbone refreshes. Feels like it will last a long time.
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Dark garnet, med body, med acidity, fine tannins. Abundant oak on the nose and palate. Notes of olives, dried red fruit, though they seem a little faded. Long finish with a smooth mouthfeel.
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Very, very young and tight. It was much better (though still very tight) after 24 hours in the decanter. My advice, for what its worth, is to wait a good few years (5 as mentioned below seems a good rule of thumb) before this starts to relax a little and show itself. The acidic backbone should make this good for a couple of decades at least.
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Classic, yet intriguing complex Rioja. Dry and sweet while evoking thoughts of rural Spanish life. 2005 is possibly still a little young to drink now, but if so have with red meat/rustic meal
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Nariz yodada. Notas a pepita de café, hoja de tabaco y especias como el clavo y la pimienta. La boca está por pulir. Un poco astringente. Ojalá envejezca como se merece.
It is good old fashioned, complex & long Rioja with good acidity, fruit and soft tannins but not the sort of wine that would please those who are brought up on jammy new world shiraz. I gave it 16.5.
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Quite open and complex on the nose - red and dark fruit, dark flowers, vanilla, cloves, wood smoke, black olives, cedar. Very refined on the palate with lots of fruit, still fairly savoury with ripe and polished tannins, good acidity and a peppery note. Really well balanced, very long and fine. Hold. 93-94+
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Initial burst of mint, almonds and black olives. Still grippy, almost astringent mint in the mouth, very fine tannins. Incredible length and complexity. This wine has a real sense of place - transcending the sum of its parts. Upright and powerful and poised, great balance - it will continue to develop. Rioja "as it should be".
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Appearance: Clear wine with a medium ruby colour, fading to a garnet rim.
Nose: Clean nose with a Medium+ intensity. This wine is developing.
How I love the smell of traditional Rioja. A real blend of cooked strawberries and cherries over soft American-oak spice. Leather and tobacco are both significant notes here but it is the subtle sweetness of the caramel that brings this together nicely. Very clean and precise.
Palate: Dry Medium acidity Medium tannins Medium+ alcohol Medium+ intensity Medium body Long finish
Smooth and savoury on the palate, medium bodied and well balanced. The red fruit is still juicy despite the age and well complimented with leather, tobacco and subtle sweet spices. Incredibly smooth tannins and a refreshing but not significant acidity. The finish is long and elegant - the mark of a truly high quality wine.
Outstanding quality Tempranillo blend from Rioja. Can be drank now but has the structure for another 5-20 years of ageing if so desired; perhaps even more? At 35 euros a bottle, this is outstanding QPR. I think I prefer this over the 2004!
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We poured the wine into a small decanter and consumed it over a period of four hours. It was medium ruby in the core and turned garnet towards the edges. The wine offered red fruit, strawberry, coffee, chocolate, spices, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, tobacco and autumn leaves on the complex and expressive nose. On the palate the balanced, medium-bodied wine showed meaty notes, red fruit, creamy cherry, milk chocolate, espresso, spices, chili, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco, mushroom and black tea, with medium spiciness, high acidity, medium to medium-plus tannin, a good, creamy mouthfeel and incredible length. The aftertaste lingered for quite a while. A classic Rioja with the typical, generous dose of well-handled American oak. Very youthful, with a long life a head. A superb, traditional-style Rioja. Loved it!
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La Rioja Alta 125 Harvest Celebration (Hotel Wellington - Madrid): Lovely performance this time representing what a real 904 is. Intensely perfumed nose of red and black fruits melted with chocolate. A meaty note too. On the palate it is going to be very classy, balanced GR, suave and acid. A gem ready to be polished by time. Luis Gutierrez considered it the best wine of the evening. I agree.
Excelente rendimiento esta vez, representando lo que de verdad es un 904. Intensamente perfumada en nariz con frutos rojos y negros que se fundieron con el chocolate. También una nota de carne. En boca va a ser muy elegante, un GR equilibrado, suave y ácido. Una gema lista para ser pulida por el tiempo. Luis Gutiérrez lo consideró como el mejor vino de la noche. Estoy de acuerdo.
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¿Se puede decir una herejía y que este vino NO parece un LRA en nariz? Casi tampoco un 2005 Áspero y ligeramente tánico en boca Su hora llegará pero ahora mismo me hace dudar.
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The nose was focused and pure with intense cherry fruit, dark wood tones, herbal mint and chalky minerals. On the palate, it was youthfully tight, showing focused red fruits, cedar, spice and saline minerality. The finish was long with concentrated red berry and tannin pulling at the senses. This wine is built for the long haul.
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4/20/2024 - 831900_ Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark in color, dark floral and some pipe tobacco on the nose. Intense core that seemingly goes quite low and has a very pleasant smokiness. Dark, unsweetened chocolate, and some coffee too. Really, really good.
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4/20/2024 - OttawaB Likes this wine: 92 Points
Took a while to open up fully. Very nice. Drank without taking notes.
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3/25/2024 - microbox Likes this wine: 93 Points
Superb showing. plenty of life left
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3/4/2024 - johnh1001 wrote: 92 Points
Quite enjoyed this tonight. Smooth. Fresh. Oak. Long life left.
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2/18/2024 - Zweder Likes this wine: 94 Points
Coffee, chocolate and herbs in the bouquet. On the palate dark berries, herbs and spices, juicy acidity, red berries and in a lovely drinking stage. No real hurry drinking this wine.
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2/2/2024 - aultrawines Likes this wine: 94 Points
Plenty of life left and much more aging potential, bright cherry and a long finish - exceptional value
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1/27/2024 - gtilley wrote:
Classic. On the first smell you know you are in safe hands. That relaxed oak and leather, but this has life, with mint and chocolate and plum. Fine, mouth coating tannins, it presents as young, with life, but enough maturity to drink with confidence now.
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1/24/2024 - ThompsonandFrench Likes this wine: 96 Points
Really delicious now.
Resolved, ethereal. What a treat!
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1/23/2024 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
Tasted next to the 1997. More backward and brooding in comparison, especially early on. Over time opening up quite nicely - mix of sweet red and dark fruit, spices, notes of orange peel, tobacco, leather. Great acidity, vibrant and lifted on the palate. Mellow tannins. Very long. Drink or (better) keep. 92-94
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1/7/2024 - GARDEN Likes this wine: 92 Points
Enjoyed by all at a dinner party where the entree was pork tenderloin.
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12/26/2023 - anstruletz Likes this wine:
Drinking very well but absolutely no rush.
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12/25/2023 - DFBW Likes this wine: 93 Points
A recent CT review had me rushing my second last bottle out of the cellar as I'm not the biggest fan of wines at their peak. No need to worry as this was drinking sweetly on Christmas day. Came after a 2006 Leoville Barton and 2007 Il Poggione Riserva Brunello. The LB just pipped it but this came a close second. Plenty of supple oak and vanilla laden dark fruit left here with a super long finish. Very tasty and no hurry to drink up the last one. Delicious.
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12/20/2023 - Highlander wrote:
Cork broke about 2/3 of the way down. Given that the last bottle did this, and was badly corked, I was concerned. This bottle was not however, but I did notice that the noticeable tannins had much faded. I gave this only 20 minutes or so in the duck. While the wine was very tasty, I am moving up my drinking window several years. Maybe it is moving from a fruit and tannin driven wine into something more mature. Regardless, I will error on drinking this early vs. too late
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12/7/2023 - TheGreenFrog Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking beautifully. Mature. Loads of fruit still, with oak evident but not dominating. Wonderful balance.
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11/19/2023 - ufsnook Likes this wine: 96 Points
I love 904. It is always a great wine for my palate.
I recently had the newly released 2015, as well as the 1997. This (as you would expect) fits perfectly in the middle. The 1997 had developed deep tertiary characteristics that I found highly enjoyable. The 2015 is delicious, but could use a few years to come into better balance/mellow a bit. The 2005 feels like it is in perfect harmony right now, and I think it is in an ideal drinking window. I think further aging will lead to the tertiary elements to start to dominate, which is not necessarily bad, but will just create a completely different experience. If I had several of these on hands, I'd drink most of them now, and keep a few to open in 5-10 years to experience its evolution to a tertiary-dominated wine
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11/18/2023 - belfast taxman wrote: 92 Points
Excellent example of traditional Rioja. Moderate oak, refined rather than too brazen. For me, it had a cranberry dominant palate. Great and long finish. Reminded me of Malan Gran Reserva which we drank in Calpe earlier this year. A definite reminder of why we love Rioja so much.
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11/4/2023 - Iam Redwood wrote: 95 Points
To toast Moes first hole in one. About three years since the last bottle was opened. What a wine....magnificent character. Just magic!
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11/3/2023 - gjv115 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pnp. Absolutely beautiful right out of the gate. Light and elegant. Complex nose of rose petals and Christmas spaces have gave way to more lavender. A palate to match. No flaws. Long finish. A beauty. Not fading but I don't see any room for improvement
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11/1/2023 - benjamin96 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Un jolie nez espagnol, mais la bouche n'a pas suivi.
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10/30/2023 - michigan66 wrote: 94 Points
Exceptional Rioja.
Perfect well balanced- nothing is too upfront and still dense will last for minimum of 5-10 years.
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10/20/2023 - GasperTheWineGuy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Amazing bottle. 18 years old and showing wonderfully. Who the heck waists their money on Napa Cabs when you could spend your money on something this interesting and this balance.
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9/2/2023 - drmarclevine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted 45 minutes. Solid core of red cherry, cranberry, soy sauce, and cola on the nose. Evolved in the glass to reveal slight hints of mushroom and damp wood chips. In the mouth a primary hit of dusty cherry and dry soil. Just starting to take on more complexity but the still-firm tannins clamped down hard. Lovely old-school Rioja with plenty of room to grow. I'll hold the next one for 3 or so years to let things mature and mellow just a bit more. A strong 92 now with potential to get into the 94-95 range with time.
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9/2/2023 - MonkeyBiz101 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very enjoyable bottle, still a surprising amount of oak present.
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8/15/2023 - brennan18 Likes this wine: 95 Points
our last bottle, opened to celebrate Charles heading off to college this week. Previous note still rings true - just a spectacular and delicious wine that delivers all the goods. Ready to drink.... 95+
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8/7/2023 - Smahlatz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Youthful colour. Smile inducing nose shows deep red fruits and leather. Luxurious. On the palate some orange peel tells us we're in Rioja. Tannins well integrated. Long finish. Consumed over 3 days and did not degrade at all. Showing will with plenty of life in it.
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8/5/2023 - OttawaB Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still lots of time to age. Nice red berry fruits followed by a bit of zippy cherry note slightly tinged with sourness ... slight. Nice spices and smooth tannins, drying but not chunky or grainy. Good complexity and structure here.
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7/20/2023 - Love Good Wine wrote: 95 Points
Beautifully balanced, this wine is a peak of perfection and no sign of aging out. Paired nicely with steak burgers from the grill. Alas, my last…
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6/3/2023 - Mulvk Likes this wine: 93 Points
Red fruit, leather. Very good. No rush
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5/20/2023 - kingkanu wrote:
Still plenty of cherry fruit and just starting to develop those lovely mature tertiary Rioja notes of old leather and soft spice, many years ahead and some upside if you like mature rioja
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5/13/2023 - Richard Nabavi Likes this wine: 93 Points
Quite deep colour but browning at the edges. Lovely, complex nose of sour cherries and other red fruit, mixed with notes of tar. Complex on the palate: sour cherries to start, then it builds to a somewhat hot, peppery taste, and then the aftertaste persists nicely in warm fruit. Tannins and oak fully subsumed, but with relatively high underlying acidity. Really very good. Ready to drink, but no hurry, these wines are built to last!
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5/12/2023 - Rhone Rick Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still lovely, but fully mature. Tobacco, bramble and red fruit… bit of acidity, but definitely peaky.
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4/15/2023 - GARDEN Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent wine from a strong vintage...probably drinking at peak quality
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4/10/2023 - Geoffy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Superb Rioja GR. I can't imagine this getting much better, but remaining bottles should have a few more years yet. Next tasting will be alongside the 2004.
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4/4/2023 - JC1000 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine, after close to 20 years, remains its quality intact, and you can tell it can still develop for a few more years. Rated as an exceptional vintage in la Rioja, this 2005 shows beautiful development over the years with notes of sweet red cherry followed by sweet spice and a delicate bouquet. While it is a robust wine, it is also relatively restrained and elegant thanks to the refreshing acidity and the well-integrated tannins.
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4/1/2023 - Scamber Likes this wine:
Total classic, the oak has softened, quite bright and structured.
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3/6/2023 - millerarner wrote:
Corked. Very sad because we waited a long time to open it.
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3/4/2023 - Cmellison Likes this wine: 92 Points
A luscious wine that seems more earthy than the 2004 (which had more dark fruit notes). Preference for the 2004 but the 2005 is very approachable and comparable to the 2005 CUNE Imperial Grand Reserva 2005.
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2/24/2023 - empire80 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Vanilla, sappy cherries, exotic spice, great structure, very fresh with a lingering warm finish.
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1/21/2023 - Mulvk Likes this wine: 92 Points
Leather, red berries. Really good. No rush to drink rest.
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1/6/2023 - Lype Likes this wine:
Sour cherries and dill on the nose, the palate is still youthful and oak influenced, very rich fruit, consistently in line with the bouquet sour cherries, hints of dill, leather vanilla and fudge. The excellent medium plus acidity brings lovely freshness, tannins are still clearly present. After a couple of a bit awkward bottles finally a good one, which reveals that time is still needed for the 2005 to actually start drinking well. This is very promising but I would wait. Nevertheless, one of the strong vintages along with 2001, 2004 and 2010 out of which the two oldest are in the drinking window while the two younger ones are still developing and waiting to emerge.
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11/18/2022 - SparkyMI Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still young with sharp back edge.
3-5 more years for the next
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11/13/2022 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Expressive and over on the nose - red fruit, orange peel, spices, vanilla, tobacco. On the palate soft and mellow, the tannins are very much in the background, but still providing good structure. Good acidity, lovely fruit, fine length. Drink or keep. 91-93
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11/12/2022 - ppandian Likes this wine: 89 Points
Cherries and red berries on the palate. Quite tannic as expected and will benefit from a 4-6 hour decant.
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11/11/2022 - BoxerBee Likes this wine: 95 Points
Really powerful nose with strawberry, cherry, sweet aceto balsamico, tobacco, mushroom. Savoury, almost salt, with great acidity supporting the dense fruit. Very complex and long. Not as good as the 2001 vintage, but nonetheless a very fine wine. Drink now and for at least the next 20 years. For sure, I will save some of my remaining bottles for the long haul
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10/26/2022 - brennan18 Likes this wine: 95 Points
outstanding Rioja that is very balanced with smooth tannins & drinking perfectly. A perfect garnet in the glass, medium bodied and savory with a bit of acidity this wine has it all:
rose petals, bright red cherry, potpourri, tobacco, cedar, leather, pine needles on the forest floor, crushed stone, earth, savory herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano), blood orange, stewed plums, a salty minerality.... my God.....
I wish I had more, such an outstanding wine! I bought this at Central Market in Houston for less than $50.00 and now kicking myself for not getting a few cases... unbelievable value... drinks like $250+
Rating: 95+
No need to wait on this -- I can't imagine it getting any better from here. Decanted in a 1L Erlenmeyer flask for 90 min prior to serving and strongly considering opening up my last bottle
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10/4/2022 - WilD wrote: 93 Points
Nice elegant with smooth melted tannins. Licour notes. Nice acidity. Starting showing tertiair notes. Great Rioja
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9/28/2022 - El_Dougo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and took an hour to open.
Medium bordering on pale ruby in glass that tapers to a garnet edge. Some age on it by the look
Nose very complex consisting of red Cherry, cranberry, currant, blackberry Vanilla, Coffee, smoke, Leather, earth, tobacco, chocolate and more. Fully developed by all accounts, although undoubtedly Time will tell.
Palate Dry, Medium+ acidity, Medium tannins yet very smooth and well integrated. Medium+ body with pronounced flavors of sour cherry, vanilla, strawberry. Lighter alcohol than expected, or maybe it’s higher acidity. Perfect with food wine or without.
Long finish, dissipating only to beg for more. Outstanding wine.
Perhaps it can age further (I’m no expert here) but it is absolutely ready and wonderful to drink now. I cannot believe this wine doesn’t cost more either. Highly recommended!
Paired with herb marinated grilled pork tenderloin and roasted vegetables. Decanted over 2+ hours. Enjoy!
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9/25/2022 - Otaku Oenophile Likes this wine: 92 Points
It's been 6 years since I last had it.
I actually remember it because it made the most lovely pan reduction sauce with veal stock for steaks and paired well with the steaks too.
Pure tart cherry, leather, herbs. I would love to revisit this.
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8/5/2022 - neilsforest Likes this wine:
Opened and decanted for c2 hours before drinking. A very good value Rioja. Enjoyed by all. Plenty more life in it
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7/31/2022 - Screwcaps Likes this wine:
Outstanding to exceptional. The length, and spread of flavour through the finish, stops you in your tracks. There is still a lot going on with this wine, the fresh coffee grounds oak still much front and centre but it quickly finds its medium bodied elegance and clarity through the middle where fresh and translucent fruit (almost burgundy like perky red cherry) finds some green (capsicum) freshness. Length for minutes. It's a wine of two halves still (oak vs fruit) and has only just started tio soften. Will be very long lived. Wait 5-7 more before looking again. Wow. Thank you B.
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7/29/2022 - mimik Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ready to go. Lots of Smokey, camphor notes and sweet tobacco with interplays of dill. Palate was luscious and well balanced. Medium long finish. Succulent
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7/1/2022 - Sotto325 wrote: 92 Points
A truly delicious wine to consume now and for the next 10 years. The 2005 is not as complex as the 2001 or 2004, but it's full of that great LRA 904 sense of traditional Rioja and fine winemaking. A color that is starting to veer a little bit toward aged Rioja, meaning a glimpse of tawny red, with a vibrant nose that jumps out of the glass with sweet mint and wet oak notes, followed by an absolutely delicious food wine. Tastes of dark, aged cherry, burnt wood, rich moist soil, mint, a hint of dill, and a nice finish. I am hoping that this wine develops more tertiary notes in time.
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6/18/2022 - sooper65 wrote: 88 Points
Very earthy, just tasting rather old and lacking any vibrancy or excitement
Sorry
Disappointed
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6/15/2022 - MaJeKu Likes this wine: 93 Points
In der Nase viel Kirsche, rot und schwarz, etwas Pflaume und mit Luft etwas Ingwer und Orange. Vor allem sekundär aber mit Tabak, getrockneten Kräutern und auch fleischiger roter Frucht. Recht verhalten im Holzton, kaum Vanille oder Kokos und sehr tief und ruhig würzig.
Am Gaumen sehr elegant mit sehr saftiger und zuggebender Säure. Angenehm leise, ruhig und auch hier tief und komplex wie in der Nase.
Der Wein braucht tatsächlich einiges an Luft um sich zu entfalten und steht dann aber extrem stabil da.
Im Vergleich zu Tondonia deutlich eleganter, geschliffener und nicht annähernd so archaisch.
Sicher großartig zu vielen Speisen.
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6/5/2022 - ppearson9 wrote: 94 Points
still getting better. wish i had more. no sediment which i found a bit rufus arthur johnson. But definitely recommend and wish I wasn’t dunzo.
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5/8/2022 - swade wrote: 91 Points
Glossy garnet color. Tilled earth and vanilla aroma. Elegant entry. Red fruit and vanilla. Still has some grip. Clean finish. Excellent with grilled steak. 91
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4/9/2022 - Glauberlp Likes this wine: 94 Points
Huge!
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3/19/2022 - bularry Likes this wine: 93 Points
took a bit of time to open, but quite magnificent. excellent tension and surprisingly delicate around the clear red fruit.
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3/16/2022 - fingers Likes this wine:
Just as special as 3 years ago. Cork in perfect shape. Followed over 4 hours open and it took a good hour to fully seam together. Such a lovely bouquet and the palate just haunts with its persistence. I am really happy to have a mag remaining.
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3/14/2022 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 88 Points
Still drinking well, but for me not as good as previously and on the slow decline.
Therefore a few bottles left to drink up……
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3/14/2022 - Sonoffalstaff Likes this wine: 94 Points
This just is SO reliable and remains good value when you look at BDX and Californian prices. Lovely brick edge medium dark claret. Classic nose but not bold. Super balance with the lovely rioja tang surrounding a savoury fully developed taste. Classic and elegant. V good place now. Probably will last a long time but it hasn't got any edges to be knocked off
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3/12/2022 - Wadham Cellar wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful aromatic profile. Red fruit, vanilla. Tannins now well integrated. A wine to drink slowly while decanting as the evolution is superb.
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3/5/2022 - ingelaOstron Likes this wine: 94 Points
Throwback to the ninethies. Excellent wine.
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3/4/2022 - Rhone Rick Likes this wine: 94 Points
Just amazing! Other commentators captured it well.. soft but bright cherries, vanilla and oak with incredible integration. Only wish I had more. A few years left in them.
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2/19/2022 - pkbowen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wine dinner with friends. Five hour decant. Mountains of sweet American oak (vanilla, coconut, dill, bourbon) and sweet red, blue, and black fruits. Savory elements dancing around the edges of the wine. More balanced and complex than the 2007, but feels a bit dessert-like, which does not necessarily agree with our palates. Loose knit structure with just enough acid and tannin to hold this wine together. Not sure how the soft structure will develop moving forward; can this level of structure allow the wine to hold for the 10++ years other notes are calling for? Drink now to 2030. Excellent 93.
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2/14/2022 - EricLi wrote: 92 Points
Very bright acidity upon uncorking. Short decant wil not do justice to this wine it does not show the weight until second day. Long decant or a couple of more years cellaring.
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2/11/2022 - DFBW Likes this wine: 91 Points
Right on the money. Full and rich with leather, oak and vanilla. Rounded fruit. In a very nice place..
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1/12/2022 - byzero wrote: 94 Points
-Fantastic Aromatics-
Traditional Spanish Riojas have the most alluring noses. This cherry fruit smells so sweet and fresh. It’s accompanied by American oak which gives it a touch of dill and vanilla with brown sugar and cedar
It is rich and round and sweet and has no rough edges. The tannins are soft
-The palate is a tick behind the nose at this point. Maybe a touch closed? If a wine can deliver an equal experience on the palate that this gives on the nose, well that would be hard to beat
-This has a long life ahead…
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12/26/2021 - shza Likes this wine: 96 Points
Similar to my last note; just a fantastic wine. But do not drink without at least three hours in a wide decanter. It needs time and air to show itself.
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12/26/2021 - pdxwinefan wrote:
Someday I’m going to learn my lesson about good Rioja and either let it age for 20+ years or decant for 5 hours or longer, allowing time to focus on the wine and not let meal timing dictate when to drink it.
3 hours of decanting and the aromas were still muted, and the flavors were overwhelmed by tight acidity and structure. 30 minutes more in the glass, with a lot of spinning, started to bring out the vanilla and still-muted cherry flavors, but none of the other secondary flavors I’d expected. And then the prime rib was ready. The wine’s structure obviously matched the meal, and down went rest of the bottle.
So, either this was in a dumb phase or I was. I’d lay money on the latter, but regardless I’ll wait another 5 years before opening another bottle.
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12/26/2021 - ThompsonandFrench Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really in its stride. A lovely, structured classic fine Rioja. Sour cherries and all that oak and leather.
Plenty left for tomoz…..
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12/25/2021 - pjvdg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Christmas Eve in Breda. Paired with roast beef. Opened early inbouw morning and decanted for 3 hours. Initially still quite firm but opened up completely in the glass. Truly magnificent. Red fruit on the nose. Beautifully balanced and integrated soft tannins and acidity. On the palate dark red fruit, savoury notes and vanilla. Very good. This has at least another 10-20 years
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11/20/2021 - Alexroy wrote: 94 Points
Lovely. Bright cherries, supple, long, gorgeous.
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10/25/2021 - Goodwine4ever wrote: 94 Points
Servis a l'aveugle après une dégustation de Mouton et j'étais sur un bordeaux classé plus boisé. Dans son sweet spot en ce moment. belle richesse/fraicheur, bois bien intégré, le genre de vin que je consommerais a chaque semaine, un vrai délice !
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10/2/2021 - jmc167@me.com Likes this wine:
Bright red fruits, cherry and strawberry, with wonderful aromatics and great complexity on the palate. Amazing
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10/2/2021 - happy712 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Simply delightful. No decant necessary. Oak, cigars, leather with a perfumy note. Goes great with most meats and even Italian pasta.
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9/27/2021 - peter.mancell@mfg.com.au Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still a lovely Rioja!
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9/25/2021 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Day 1: Lover the 904. Raspberries, wood, dill, minerals, earth and floral notes. This is super complex and long finish. This wine should age for another 10 plus years. 94 points
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9/16/2021 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
Vertical of 1994/2001/2004/2010 904 and next to 2005 Ardanza Reserva. The most generous and ripe of the 904s in the line up. Dark fruit, also quite youthful, ripe tannins, well balanced and elegant. 92-94
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9/10/2021 - WilD wrote: 93 Points
Nice elegant with smooth melted tannins. Licour notes. Nice acidity. Starting showing tertiair notes. Great Rioja
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8/17/2021 - michigan66 Likes this wine: 93 Points
dark purlple in the glass.
no sediments and showing nice windows on the glass edges.
smells from current, plumb and dried berries.
very smooth and long finish.
have decanted it 2 hours before drinking.
great wine and exceptional made.
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8/4/2021 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 94 Points
What a wonderful pairing for home made paella. Very smooth and elegant. Aging beautifully
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7/26/2021 - Slaz Likes this wine: 94 Points
This continues to taste insanely young and tremendous, even after few hours of decanting. Not at its peak yet.
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6/26/2021 - randyjc wrote: 94 Points
Vivid flavors, striking aromatics. Absolutely first rate wine and I am very sorry to see the last of mine go.
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6/19/2021 - forceberry wrote: 90 Points
A blend of Tempranillo (90%) and Graciano (10%). Fermented and macerated for 15 days in stainless steel. Aged for 4 years (from March 2006 to March 2010) in American oak barrels that are on average 4 years old. Bottled in November 2010. 13,5% alcohol, 1,4 g/l residual sugar, 5,3 g/l acidity and pH 3,61.
Surprisingly youthful appearance for its age; dark, luminous and moderately translucent ruby core that turns to pale raspberry towards the rim. Rich, quite sweetish and relatively dark-toned nose with ripe aromas of wizened dark plums and ripe black cherries, some meaty notes, a little bit of licorice, light herbal notes of dill and dried aromatic herbs, oaky hints of vanilla and toasty mocha and a touch of savory wood spice. Contrasting the previous 904 vintages we've had in the tasting (1989-2004), this wine feels sweeter and fuller in style with more noticeable ripeness and quite intense flavors of black cherries and wizened figs, some toasty mocha oak, light whiskey notes of vanilla, a little bit of meaty umami, light licorice tones, a hint of dill and an evolved touch of beef jerky. Despite the ripeness and slightly sweeter overall taste, the wine is nevertheless pretty firm and structured, thanks to the rather high acidity and quite assertive and grippy tannins. The finish is ripe, rather grippy and very lengthy with powerful and somewhat sweet-toned flavors of sweet black cherries and prunes, some toasty mocha oak, a little bit of meaty umami and charred game, light notes of dill, a hint of vanilla and other sweet spicy notes of oak and a touch of ripe black cherry.
Contrasting the previous vintages of 904, this 2005 was markedly different in style, suddenly showing more ripeness, weight and concentration than any other vintage. While you could taste that all the wines were cut from the same cloth, the fruit flavors were definitely from the darker end of the spectrum, contrasting the typically more red-toned fruit of 904, and the oak influence was much more noticeably to the fore, showing not only the classic notes of vanilla and savory old wood spice, but also darker-toned flavors of mocha and sweet, toasty oak spice. I wonder whether this wine is just aging even more slowly than 904 normally is, coming across as much more youthful than the other vintages, or if the winemaking here has changed somewhat? At least this wine was noticeably more structured and muscular than Ardanza 2005, which was a ripe but also a surprisingly soft and mellow vintage compared to the other Ardanzas. All in all, this was a big and impressive vintage 904, but not entirely to my taste - it felt sweeter and more concentrated than what I've grown to expect from the wine. It might be just the vintage, but this was more about clumsy blockbuster expression than finesse in my books. I hope the wine will drop its baby fat and pick up some tertiary complexity with further aging.
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6/11/2021 - DaveICT Likes this wine: 90 Points
Before some decanting, this had a nose of yeast and earth with a tart and tannic bing cherry pop.
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5/22/2021 - shza Likes this wine: 97 Points
A wonderful wine. First bottle opened in a while. Nose of leather, funky, anamalic. That persists on the palette, but there is a clean, cutting acidity across it that just gives this a beautiful balance and structure. Very long finish. This is drinking very well right now but will easily last another 15-20 years. I only wish I had (or could find) more than the 3 bottles and two magnums I have left.
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5/21/2021 - skp88 wrote: 93 Points
Big, juicy, delicious. Tastes fresh. Layers of flavor. Very satisfying finish.
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5/20/2021 - SpitzNV Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great wine. Spicy. Herbaceous. Expansive. Delicious.
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5/9/2021 - Spargel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ausgezeichnet
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4/24/2021 - VoteferPedro wrote:
needs minimum 6 hours of air
My buddy insisted 24 but I did not have that much time
Classy crystaline structure
great with food
in this case paella in our porch for sister's birthday
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3/8/2021 - empire80 Likes this wine: 93 Points
First of 12. This is beautiful now but absolutely no rush. Classic old school rioja, perfect with a shoulder of lamb.
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3/6/2021 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
Another excellent bottle: Complex, smooth, generous with great balance and length. Drink or keep. 92-94
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3/4/2021 - Will Hansen wrote: 95 Points
Drank 3/2021 with short ribs in mole sauce. The subtle complexity of the wine and the mole we so complementary. Dark, brooding fruit, uplifting acidity and gripping tannins make for a delicious, enticing wine. Tannins seem a little strong for a wine that's 19+ years, but they are integrated well and mellow a touch over an hour or so. A tremendous wine, especially for a relatively modest price tag.
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2/27/2021 - Gen NY Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last bottle of a case. The entire case has been very enjoyable. Around 2017 -2018 this wine became very open and inviting. It was a good chooce for PNP or restaurant. However, it is at its best 2 hours after opening. Will seek out more of the current vintage on offer.
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2/25/2021 - vigure Likes this wine: 94 Points
Never disappointed ever. Cherry, dark cacao and tabacco scent rises over 2hours. Balanced acidity, tannin and sweetness. Still fresh.
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2/25/2021 - michigan66 Likes this wine: 92 Points
light rusty look on the edges, smooth and fruity on the nose. in the glass after 2 hours it really opened up and was enjoyable to good french and spanish cheese.
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2/21/2021 - Hoots Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was just beautiful, a fabulous oaky nose and the palate with a punch to back it up. Delicious.
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2/6/2021 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nez expressif d'arômes balsamiques...de cèdre et d'allumettes, selle de cheval et de caramel. Saveurs de cerise noire et de vanille entrelacé d'épices. Les tannins sont fins. Un vin mûr, rond et harmonieux. Longue finale sur des notes d'anis. Délicieux !
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2/5/2021 - Lemari Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted NB. Greeted with appealing, aged Bordeaux aromas the wine suffered from a rather shallow, truncated finish. Perhaps bottle variation.
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2/2/2021 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely nose of red cherries, mint, chocolate, and tobacco. Medium+ acidity and tannins with more red cherries, some cocoa, and raspberries on the palate. Nice finish. Great wine, drinking okay now, but would love to try again in 10 years.
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1/30/2021 - WilD wrote: 93 Points
Wine is much more lean than my previous bottle 9 month ago. Nice elegant with smooth melted tannins. Licour notes. Nice acidity. Great wine for me but much more developed than I expected.
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1/19/2021 - gallu wrote: 93 Points
93 Un gran Rioja clásico. Nariz con buena madera, que no se impone a una fruta limpia. Buena intensidad, notas de cerezas maduras. En boca es excelente, con mucho equilibrio, buen cuerpo y un final intenso, pulido y muy elegante. Notas de grafito, mineral, mucha estructura. Es muy largo y está entrando en un momento dulce. Gran vino.
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1/17/2021 - Biskuit Likes this wine: 93 Points
In great shape, way ahead of last bottle a couple years ago
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1/16/2021 - happy712 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fantastically smoky. Prime drinking window. Great with smoky steak or lamb.
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1/3/2021 - Isobel goudi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dichtes rot im Zentrum an den rändern leucht braun-orange. Reife Früchte pflaume Dörrobst Süßholz tabak Schokolade. Seidene tannine hohe Intensität bei mittlerem Körper elegant Finesse Pflaume aber Brombeere und mon cherie. Rauchig kühler Abgang langes Finale
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12/31/2020 - Spargel Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nose earthy, on palate dark fruits, full, sweetness, well integrated tannins. Classic Rioja as it should be. Now in perfect drinking window.
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12/27/2020 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with previous note. 92-94
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12/13/2020 - Spargel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice. Aromatic nose with cherries and herbs which continue on palate. Long finish.
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12/8/2020 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 89 Points
Medium ruby.
Fragrant, aromatic black cherry nose.
Well balanced wine, medium bodied, well integrated tannins,drinking very well.
Very good wine.
RP says 2035 which seems a little generous but we shall see.
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12/6/2020 - galewskj wrote: 95 Points
Virtual Spanish Wines: Very nice acidity on the palate along with some light strawberry and vanilla. There is a touch of American oak. Blue fruit and leather comes out with time. My favorite wine of the tasting.
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12/3/2020 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Virtual Single Blind Spanish Tasting (Home): Dark red color. Splash decanted and poured into jars for transport and poured into glasses about 2 hours later. Drank one glass plus single blind over 3 hours. This was singing immediately and took very little swirling for it to fully blossom in glass. There's just a splendid perfume here, a floral potpourri, dried roses, deep blue fruits and cherry fruits, menthol and eucalyptus, leather and smoky spices abound. The palate is right there too, medium plus bodied and seamless, sleek and seductive with its complex mix of feminine wiles. It's all here, a mix of funk and earth, dark fruits, silky black cherry, creosote, leather, spices and polished tannins on a long finish. Fantastic! My and group WOTN.
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12/3/2020 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Spectacular Spanish Reds: Spanish Spectacular Zoom Tasting
Wines: This was a very nice tasting, conducted as a single blind (we knew the wines, but not which was which). The wines featured included the following:
2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia (Starter wine)
2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat
2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto
2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904
2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster
2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5°
NV Pedro Ximenez Spinola Sherry (Desert wine)
Prep: Wines were decanted for about 10 mins then poured/filtered into jars for transport, and consumed 2-4 hours later.
Scores: The group's top 3 wines were: WOTN = 2005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, two wines tied for second = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, and 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster. My order was as follows: WOTN = 2009 Celler Burgos-Porta Priorat Mas Sinen Coster, #2 = 005 La Rioja Gran Reservea 904, #3 = 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat, #4 (tie) = 2009 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Vlabuena 5° and 2004 Bodegas Aalto Ribera del Duero Aalto.
Review:
2005 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 - This was the group's WOTN and my number 2 pick. I actually thought this was the 2001 Celler Vall Llach Priorat because, for me, it tasted the oldest of all the wines. The nose was the best of the group, perfumed with lavender and black fruit, also showing earth, cigar box and spice. The palate was well integrated and balanced, showing a nice dose of fruit (blackberry and cherry) and tertiary flavors ( tobacco, leather and earth) with hints of vanilla (presumably from the oak). This is a delicious wine with an awesome nose, and is drinking quite well now. I don't see this wine improving, but it seems to have enough to hold for a while (but I wouldn't wait too long, i.e. a year, unless you don't care about the fruit and want more tertiary flavors, IMO). This was a close second for me, but only because I liked the longer finish on the 2009 Priorat. Easily 93+ points.
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11/22/2020 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
Expressive, generous fruit, notes of leather, tobacco, spices. Nice tannic backbone, great acidity. Really well balanced and harmonious. Long. Drink or keep. 92-94
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11/3/2020 - Adam.Marshak Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very smooth and tasty. Helped me cope with Election night.
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10/24/2020 - feller wrote:
потрясающе . отрытое и зрелое вино с необыкновенным вкусом. очень ровные танины . легкая сладковатость без алкогольной нагрузки . ушло под тартар из оленины
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10/22/2020 - grizzlywine wrote: 94 Points
Pours beautiful deep ruby with medium viscosity.
Nose of black cherry, pickled strawberry, red licorice and raw green bell pepper,
Medium acidity, high alcohol, tannins present but well accounted for.
Muted cherry and dark fruit up front, followed by leather, sweet pipe tobacco, and long, mild pepper finish.
Extremely well balanced. Oak and vanilla dominate on first pour but dissipate over the first hour. Beautifully rounded and extremely enjoyable Rioja.
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10/19/2020 - Iam Redwood wrote: 95 Points
Drank with the lads at Coppinwood. Wow, matches the wine enthusiasts rating to a T.
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10/11/2020 - MikaK wrote: 92 Points
medium bodied, earthy, leather and tobacco. Smooth tannins. Dark cherries and bloms and vanilla. Very nice wine at the moment.
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9/30/2020 - pinoteer Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Second bottle of this wine that I've opened in two days time. Both have oak treatment that tastes like wood and wet newspaper, rather than coconut or vanilla. The wood overpowers the other flavors. I opened the second bottle today thinking that maybe the first one was corked, but this second one is just the same. I really don't understand others' love of this Rioja. I like Riojas, but definitely not this one. Worst 8-bottle purchase ever.
Following the advice of Purple Tooth, I left the bottles in the frig for a few days and then left them open on the counter for 12 hours or more before drinking. The oak was much more subdued and integrated at that point. Because I'm updating this note many weeks later, I don't have revised tasting notes or even recall my sense of a revised score. Consequently, I'll go with my earlier 85 from a previous bottle. Next time, 24 hours of air before drinking and then I can maybe find greater appreciation for this wine.
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9/20/2020 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 95 Points
Spectacular Rioja. A treasure for all the senses.
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9/14/2020 - gjv115 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drank over 2 days. Smooth. Rich. Delicious. Long finish.
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9/10/2020 - Stoic Warrior Likes this wine: 96 Points
Without a doubt, this is the most enjoyable wine I have opened this year (2020). It is everything one would want in a proper, classically styled Rioja. And the finish just lingers on and on. I shall be ordering another 6 of the 2010.
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8/29/2020 - KeithAkers wrote: 94 Points
Paella night (Adam's, Logan Square, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is just flat out pretty. It's well balanced, layered, and deep with sour red cherries, sour red fruits, raspberries, strawberries, vanilla beans, dill, herbs, licorice, spice notes, tobacco, and some worn leather. It was easy to get lost in the glass and take in the ethereal quality that this bottle is clearly moving into.
Taste: The feel is Medium bodied with tart, medium+ acidity and silky, medium+ tannins. The structure is starting to show some maturity as the tannins are beginning to pull back while the feel is poised and regal with sour red cherries, raspberries, strawberries, tobacco, licorice, herbs, and worn leather notes.
Overall: This is towards a very long beginning for this wonderful wine. It is beautifully balanced and fragrant while showing a lot of depth across the nose and palate.
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8/8/2020 - djarcara wrote: 90 Points
Dark brick color. Medium body. Dark fruit. A bit faded. Earthy secondary flavors of tobacco and mushrooms. Mellow tannins, but the acidity is on the high side. Into its drinking window, with another 5 years or so left.
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7/26/2020 - gabird wrote: 93 Points
- Garnet color with fast forming legs. It's balanced and has flavours of fig, black pepper and vanilla with a medium body. Round texture with a long finish - Delightful fruit and balanced with spices. Its very smooth and complex at the same time. Very enjoyable and drinking so well.
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7/26/2020 - Enzo D Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bottle 3 of 4 and this was the best. Perfectly fine to drink now, or hold 5+ more years. Paired nicely with bbq ribs after a quick decant, and continued to improve with air.
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7/25/2020 - acidqueen wrote: 90 Points
Dark red color. Deeply fruited, rich with masses of oak. This is still really too young given that the oak needs a lot more time to subside - it sticks out too much now. But this is a good wine and likely to get better. I chose it to complement a filet mignon with foie gras and a cherry wine reduction and it was quite a good match.
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7/4/2020 - wurzel68 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Schön gereifte Nase bach Dörrobst, roten Beeren, Schokolade, Vanille und Lebkuchengewürz. Elegant ausbalanciert, mittlerer Körper, etwas zu stark betonte Säure, leicht zehrebd; trotzdem lecker.
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6/30/2020 - hsacks Likes this wine: 93 Points
Similar to the 12/5/18 bottle.
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6/22/2020 - Deux Chevaux wrote:
Medium ruby/ tawny in color. Lush, smooth and welcoming from the first sip. It shows trademark vanillin, but unlike in some other more recent years, we do not find it excessive. Decent acid backbone. Simultaneously complex and friendly; very easy to drink. Highly enjoyable over three nights.
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6/6/2020 - Kirvan wrote:
delicious! Beautiful tawny color
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5/29/2020 - WilD wrote: 95 Points
P&P. Full and rich with dense vanilla and oaked fruit. Much more developed than my last botlle 2 yrs ago. Beautiful aromas of vanilla, thyme, blueberries. Great acidity backbone. My favourite Rioja
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5/28/2020 - jww Likes this wine: 91 Points
great wine Lush and delicious
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5/18/2020 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 93 Points
Every time I open one of these wines I find myself shaking my head in disbelief. The QPR on these wines is simply outstanding!
I gave this a one hour decant and while it was youthful, it started to come in to its own around hour three. The aromatics here are intoxicatingly fragrant. Classic American Oak influence of coconut, dill and herbs de Provence but it was more a part of the wine than it was a dominating factor of the wine. Once it starts to shed that layer, more herbs, sweet tar, spicy black cherries and roasted rhubarb show up. Wonderful and refreshing acidity here. On the palate, it sports dried cranberries, fleshy black cherries, pipe tobacco, thyme, peppercorn and a slightly sweeter kirsch note. Will be even better in 5-7yrs.
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5/16/2020 - DFBW Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking perfectly right now. Full and rich with dense vanilla and oaked fruit. Was going to leave a couple of glasses for the next night to see how it developed overnight but next time I looked the bottle was empty! Delicious...
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5/15/2020 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Same impressions as our last bottle in February. Drink up and enjoy!
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4/30/2020 - "Rhône Rider" Likes this wine: 91 Points
Veldig bra nå, men fortjener enda mere tid. Pen frukt på den modne siden. Min neste flaske åpnes ikke før 2025
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4/25/2020 - jww Likes this wine: 92 Points
how can you go wrong
Lush fruits slight vanilla flavor
smooth finish
fantastic value
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4/21/2020 - short and confused wrote: 94 Points
At $39, a ridiculous value. Opaque orange hued red. Candied red cherry, vanilla, tobacco and spice cake nose. The liqueur red fruit in the mouth is balanced by subtle tannin, good acidity and a spicy finish. Excellent Rioja. 6th of 12.
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4/12/2020 - macaujames Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is great! Has fullish aromas of vanilla infused flowers, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. Its medium bodied elegant blue and red fruits palate has lovely depth, freshness and a great oaky fruity middle. Ends long, zingy and tapering. Great complexity here. 13.5%. Lay down 5-10 yrs+ no problem.
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4/11/2020 - moany rhoney wrote: 93 Points
Great Rioja
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4/10/2020 - thomasvha wrote: 91 Points
Til lam
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4/10/2020 - Lype Likes this wine:
Sour cherries, moist leather, salty savoury flavours and earthiness, fairly high acidity but some vintages are more acidic (namely 2001 and 2004), oak and vanilla are present but (finally) resolved enough to make this approachable and enjoyable, at the beginning of its drinking curve, can be consumed now but will evolve and get even better. A must for friends of old school Rioja wines.
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4/6/2020 - mac-eye Likes this wine: 92 Points
I like this one more than the previous two bottles, spaced out by a year or more each. Maybe because it's more mature, or bottle differences... or perhaps because in this time of COVID-19 I just appreciate it more. It's a real blessing to have wines that go well with all sorts of foods that might not be our usual diets... such as baked beans with pork.
This bottle, now, seems much better balanced than the previous ones. The fruit, while somewhat subtle, is intriguing and fits perfectly well with the acid. Hard to describe the fruit - somewhat like blueberries turned down several notches, with hints of dark cherry and who knows what.
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4/6/2020 - evold89 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent wine that is approaching «cruising altitude». Drinking very well right now, but will hold for many years.
Ripe blueberries, liquorice and a touch of floral on the nose. Touch of spice. Beautiful mix of developed tones such as leather and dried fruits, but still holding on to that primary fruit core.
Dark fruit on the palate with some cherries and vanilla notes. Medium finish. Lovely stuff!
92-93 points. Rated 92.
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3/26/2020 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 91 Points
Classy wine with a long life ahead of it.
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3/26/2020 - Paradigm Media wrote:
This wine was nearly perfect. Lots of fruit initially when opened, and a slightly floral nose. After an hour, it revealed more tobacco and cedar notes - but still rich, ripe fruit (plum, blackberry) but not jammy in the least bit. Longish finish and nice acidity for an '05. I had opened a half bottle prior that was well past. The 750 ml was flawless
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3/14/2020 - Lemari Likes this wine: 96 Points
Sublime expression of a Rioja gran reserva now drinking in its sweet spot. Wonderfully balanced.
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3/9/2020 - CWilliam wrote: 93 Points
PNP - drank over 2 hours. Got better with air - personally, I think this needs 5 more years to be at peak. Dark red/brown color with clear meniscus. Savory nose - mushrooms, cherry, tart cherry & dill + tobacco. Palate had similar flavor profile. Medium body, medium+ acidity and very long finish. All too easy to drink! 93+/-
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3/8/2020 - Andr5858 wrote: 90 Points
I was expecting a lot more from this wine. After drinking old Rioja vintages from the 60s 70s and 80s recently, this wine should be tasting a lot younger. I don’t think it’s going anywhere. Nice enough but didn’t move the earth. Keeping wines in barrel for several years so can be categorised as Gran Reserva is questionable. I have had some stunning Old Crianzas which have been very similar to top notch Burgundies. Regretfully this doesn’t come near. After years of drinking Riojas I am beginning to lose respect for “Gran Reservas”. Better Crianzas and Reservas with a decent amount of bottle age. The wine itself is nicely mouth filling. Grippy tannins with a medium body. Slight watery but elegant. Savoury on the palate with pronounced oak and dried figs. Good finish. Pleasant enough but none of the stuffing to suggest a long life ahead. Still quite a few bottles left!
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2/23/2020 - Grenik Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent wine and drinking so well right now. Floral and sweet fruit on the nose. Dark fruit on the palate with some pepper and spice notes. Medium finish. Wonderful!
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2/19/2020 - swade wrote:
Flawed. Flat. Tasted like cardboard too.
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2/8/2020 - Richard Nabavi Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for three hours.
Quite deep colour but with light brown on the edges. Fair bit of oak on the nose but it is beautifully integrated with the fruit. On the palate the oak is certainly there, but the wine is beginning to come together and it is concentrated and very well-balanced. The initial impression was that the aftertaste was still quite tannic with an acidic lift, but as we drank through the bottle with a rack of lamb with slightly spiced carrots (superb matching!) it seemed softer and just got better and better.
A beautiful wine, drinking well now but with a long life ahead of it.
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2/2/2020 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really excellent! Cork broke on extraction. Bummer. Decanted to clean the wine of cork bits and sediment. Drank over several hours during the Super Bowl. Lots of spiced cherries and other red fruits. Initially a bit of oak was present, but it was no big deal compared to the Spanish wines of yesteryear. Excellent balance with complexity and nice mouthfeel. Medium length finish. It's drinking very nicely now.
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1/25/2020 - Fugu Me Likes this wine:
Uncorked and allowed to slow O for ~2 hours prior to pouring. First taste was tannic and oaky. Vanilla from the oak dominated most other notes. Allowed to breathe in my glass for another hour, it started to open up. Tannins receded a bit and the oak gave way to some lovely fruit and leather notes. Paired nicely with jamon, aged manchego and other tasty bits. Saving 2/3 of the bottle for tomorrow. Hoping that it will continue to open more overnight.
Skipping ahead to night 3, tannins are still pretty chewy, and the oak is still prominent, but both have mellowed, giving way to more of the silky fruit that they had been hiding.
Finally, on night 4, the tannins have receded significantly, the oak is present but not quite so... oaky... and the fruit is really coming through beautifully. This is just a hint, I think, of the elegant wine that this will become.
I believe that I've opened this 10-15 years too early.
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1/19/2020 - HEBRO 10 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep. Rich. Light oak
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1/17/2020 - Hanibal wrote: 90 Points
too much oak, need allot more time
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1/3/2020 - sjw_11 wrote: 92 Points
Mid to pale red. High boned red cherry notes. On several days looking I decided this bottle was not corked, but there could have been a touch of TCA (I’m relatively sensitive to it). Otherwise this is starting to shape up nicely. Ethereal cedar and varnish on the nose. As always with this house I find the oak sticks out, even at 14 years you can see it on the palate. Sour cherries the lingering thought. Tannins remain firm. Give it at least another 5 years to see what may be its best.
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1/3/2020 - StainedGlass Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was a very different wine between the time it was first opened and immediately tasted and day 2. Dark red ruby color and tightly wound on day 1, dominated by tannins and dark red fruit, but not a lot of complexity. On day 2, it really came alive, with medium bodied dark and red cherry, dried spice, leather, and licorice, but still on the young side. Well balanced. An excellent wine now (after a long decant) but it has even greater potential with cellaring. Not inexpensive but a relative bargain given what it delivers.
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12/31/2019 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep cherry red in color. Nose is still mostly primary with some secondary notes. No tertiary aromas. Red cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, tobacco leaf, cigar box and clove. On the palate it is dry, velvety with medium acidity, tannins and alcohol. The texture is lush, luxurious and suave. It feels hedonistic. But it still hasn't developed much complexity. This has a lot of time left. I think I will lay my next bottle for a couple of years because this has at least a decade of life. It feels like a baby next to the '01 Ardanza we are having by its side.
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12/18/2019 - skurtz Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted at Mixto. Oak and barnyard in the nose, lots of red fruit, oak and acid. Nice finish.
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12/17/2019 - fingers Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rocknroller has it right, as usual.
When first opened, it was as tight and tannic as a leather drum. After an hour uncorked it started to really sing and ended up being a personal WOTY candidate.
5+13+17+9= 94
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11/17/2019 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Spain (Estelle, St. Paul, MN): Very dark red color. PNP, drank a glass over an hour next to the '05 Ardanza. Another outstanding 904 for La Rioja. Beautifully sleek and alluring; gravelly minerals, cherry, dark berries, spice, fine tobacco with hints of tar, great texture and acid too. This was lifted and energized and it's only going to get better. 93+pts.
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11/17/2019 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Had this last just short of 3 years ago and it has improved. Still somewhat youthfully rich but moving in the right direction. Classic Rioja aromas of berries, light cigar box and earth. Palate offers a range of raspberry, cherry, mineral, tobacco leaf in a youthfully exuberant way. Think this should be singing in 3-5yrs. On the front end of its prime drinking and promising. 92+/93
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10/30/2019 - MikeJK Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is an elegant rioja with expressive nose highlighted by American oak. Though this is an outstanding wine, I would wait another 5 years for greater integration of oak. Double decanted 2-3 hours before consumption.
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10/27/2019 - ev3rthesame Likes this wine: 92 Points
Love wines like this where it’s not just an enjoyable wine to drink, but so much fun to drink it and talk about all the flavors. Cigar box, tart cherries or raspberries, cranberry in the finish and river stone? And a free element, haven’t out my finger in it yet, but this is yummy!
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10/26/2019 - James Kim Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wine Tasting Group - Rioja - Oct 26, 2019 (Sketches of Spain, Bishop Arts, Oak Cliff, Dallas): Aromas of dill, bright fresh and dried red fruits with earth. Cherries, ripe blackberries, earth and dill on the palate. Nice acids keep the wine lively. The American oak still needs to integrate more and this is still young. Having said that, elegance defines this wine on both the nose and palate.
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10/19/2019 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 93 Points
Placid dark blood red. Raspberries and a hint of cigarette smoke on the nose. Tart, acidic raspberries with a general smokiness that blends wonderfully with a touch of cranberry at the end palate. Delicious stuff.
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10/13/2019 - gallu wrote: 93 Points
93 Grande este vino. Rojo rubí. Nariz con fruta sazonada, buena madera. Vainilla. En boca tiene una limpieza, una acidez y una intensidad de fruta perfecta. Espléndido.
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10/12/2019 - Lazerlar Likes this wine: 93 Points
Its been 2 years since my last visit with this and it still drinking great.
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10/6/2019 - Slaz Likes this wine: 94 Points
A delightful LRA's 904 that is in a great spot right now. Benefited from decanting for 1-2 hours. A juicy combination of earthiness, some dill notes, wet forest, and mellow fruit that is becoming to show signs of aging (but still has years of life ahead). Much joy.
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10/4/2019 - PMJak11 wrote: flawed
Flawed unfortunately as I was really looking forward to this, especially seeing I loved it 3 years ago.
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9/28/2019 - HPringle wrote: 90 Points
From magnum. Too young/didn't allow enough decant time for the wine to realise its evident potential. Would need a good 2-3 hour decant.
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9/23/2019 - short and confused wrote: 94 Points
Opened at a busy gathering at home and did not get the chance to revisit until the next day from an uncorked bottle on the counter. Candied red fruit, vanilla and spice cake on the nose. Sweet with pervasive cherry cola in the mouth. I don't remember it being so alive on opening but heavens is it good the next day. I'll give the next bottles a decant. Yummy stuff.
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9/13/2019 - Piotr K wrote: 89 Points
Better than the bottle I tried three years ago, but still does not convince me. It is disjointed, alcohol and acidity cover everything else. I do not have high hopes for the rest of the bottles I have in cellar. And I wonder if my palate does not like this wine, or did I get bad batch.
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8/10/2019 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Small pour. Brief note. Very good, more youthful than the '04 and maybe a little riper vintage. Bright red fruits, more tannin and wood showing, this is a beauty too.
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8/10/2019 - Whine-oh Likes this wine: 90 Points
Slowed for Oed up to two hours prior to pairing with marinated grilled tri-tip. Still dark with minimal bricking. Minimal sediment. Dark cherries and earth with some acidity. Good with food. Would’ve been fun to of held onto it for a while longer. See if I can find my 2004 somewhere lost in my cellar. Fun to compare! Drink w decant or hold.
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8/5/2019 - michigan66 wrote: 93 Points
dark ruby color and very fruity nose.
intense and also smooth after 1 hour of decanting.
excellent wine with potential for another 5-10 years.
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7/20/2019 - shleepy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Quite a solid Rioja, with black currant and the usual vanilla and whatnot.
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6/21/2019 - skifree wrote: 91 Points
Brought to the CT SEA Riserva and Gran Riserva Rioja tasting, turned out there was another of the same bottle in the line-up! This tasted better, the other was double decanted or it could be bottle variation. I opened this an hour or so before the tasting. Day 2 I had a small glass with food; this is what it is meant for. This is closer to an 89 than a 96.
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6/18/2019 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
Russk. My wine of the night from Hermes tasting event at the ritz Carlton.
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6/7/2019 - gagrapes wrote: 95 Points
Delicious
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6/1/2019 - sooper65 wrote: 92 Points
plenty of pure fruit, perfectly ripe. No obtrusive oak, then plenty noticeable.
This is good.
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5/10/2019 - SGoenophile Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dinner at Dragon Phoenix. Mid garnet. Rich nose. Medium body. Already well evolved with soft tannins. Quite fresh with relatively high acidity. Notes of vanilla, oak, cherries and tomatoes. Overall an elegant wine although not much complexity.
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5/2/2019 - Xpis7os wrote: 93 Points
Excellent Rioja. Very well mature that keeps all positive elements of the age. Nose full of red dry fruits and earthy touch. It also has elements of freshness. Palate gives vanilla, woody, cedar, chocolate and caramel. Tannins are smooth and pleasant and acidity is medium. Very well balance and very enjoyable.
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4/28/2019 - HPringle Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted and drank slowly as it opened up. Textbook 904, the american oak omnipresent, some graphite, but also fresh red fruit. Drinking wonderfully now but no rush at all- this will keep giving for many years to come.
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4/22/2019 - streethawk wrote: 95 Points
First tasted in 2017 and still quite impressive. Medium bodied, beautiful balance of fruit and oak. Very approachable now but I look forward to seeing how this one continues to evolve with a little more age. Great expression of Rioja.
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4/21/2019 - cevans129 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Exceptional. Fruit still strong and forward - oak brings hints of spice, vanilla. Bold but polite. Drunk with lamb after 1.5 in decanter - really singing, but still plenty of life and years to come. Look forward to the other bottles I have in the cellar in years to come.
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4/21/2019 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid wine but from the critics scores I expected more. Very earthy. Easy drinking.
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4/20/2019 - ChateauDutremble Likes this wine: 93 Points
Du cèdre et encore du cèdre ! Arôme intense de cèdre... avec des notes de figues sèches et de tabac. En bouche, saveurs de cerise et de roses sèches. Une belle acidité, mi-corsé, soyeux...beaucoup de caractère. Finale moyenne à longue. Délicieux par lui-même ou avec bouffe. Un grand vin ! Boire d'ici 2025. 93+
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4/17/2019 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Tabac, chocolat et fumée, encore jeune!
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3/30/2019 - wayfarer Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine was intoxicating, as in captivating and elevating, setting a mood of high interest and pleasure. That's about how it guided the evening and made for a delightful dinner. Opened about 3.5 hours before dinner, decanted last 30 minutes. Definitely helped bring out depth and integration for the rich aged fruit, wood/earth/forest/leather hints. There was a lovely back and forth between fresher red fruit, cherry, strawberry, black cherry, with the more aged tone. Moderate full body, long finish, nice balance, rich and nuanced. Three years plus air time seems to have been beneficial.
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3/22/2019 - Isobel goudi Likes this wine: 94 Points
Leichte brauntöne. Elegant. Optimal zu trinken jetzt. Langer Abgang. Besser als 2004.
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3/15/2019 - VoteferPedro wrote:
so so
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3/12/2019 - MemorialWineFan wrote: 90 Points
Better than the last bottle a few years ago. I found it to be better integrated. Was a little disjointed the last time. This time I did not notice the "coconut suntan oil" fragrance which I normally get from this producer.
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3/2/2019 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dull garnet red-brown. Christmas potpourri with red fruits on the nose. Sharp red fruits with tons of spices and sweet red berry umami. Delicious, especially in the finish.
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2/24/2019 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 93 Points
93-94. Old school Rioja style. Absolutely lovely. Nice red fruits, structure, spice and complexity.
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2/23/2019 - Rollerball wrote: 94 Points
Spherical, translucent, and radiating; dark sour cherries, earth, and thrilling minerality; elegant and dignified; gives a little on character to achieve the polish.
Cellar tracker has great reviews of some early 904s consumed in the last year: '59, '64, others. I don't think I'd prefer this at 40, 50, or 60 years, though I bet it could get there. But it offers great pleasure (with no decant) now, so enjoy this phase -2024.
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2/19/2019 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Encore assez boisé et animal, beaucoup de matière.
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2/12/2019 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 95 Points
High wire act. Balanced well above the earth, exotic aromas (deep and rich autumn flowers and forests) resolve into dark and ripe fruits (blackberries and plums), back by elegant and firm tannins. The memorable finish literally lasts for minutes, with sensations of graphite and granite. This wine has a minimum of a decade still to age before reaching its apogee. Phenomenal accomplishment.
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2/12/2019 - vincemcd61 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful wine. Opened up beautifully. Had with NY Times Easy Paella. Delicious. Fantastic pairing
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2/10/2019 - Gunakadeit Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nicely balanced. Some bricking. Tart red fruits, vanilla, leather. Pleasurable to drink, but unresolved, and I would leave this alone for another 10 years. For context, I ended up drinking the entire bottle over 3 hours when my wife unexpectedly had to work. I don’t know if that makes my review more credible, or less credible, although I would lean towards the latter.
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2/10/2019 - Neil.L Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark red, translucent, showing first signs of age at the rim. Dark fruits, oak, herbs, leather on the bouquet. Same dark fruits in the mouth and tertiary flavours, leather, animal, really nice acidity and well integrated tannins, softer than a couple of years ago. Really good now but no hurry to drink the rest.
Tried another Nov 19. Brick red at the edge but translucent, light colour. As above but red fruits rather than dark on the nose spicy/herby, something animal also stones. Nose more fruity Thani remember
All the above in the mouth but barrel aging and tannins less prominent; nice acidity and mineralty
Really good
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2/8/2019 - CHINACAT wrote: 91 Points
Slightly tart fruit, taut, tense and primary. Showing some nice qualities now, but should be really good in a few years.
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1/13/2019 - europat55 wrote: 89 Points
Nose: B++ Palate: B+
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1/13/2019 - bigop Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lovely and mature. Perfect with the beef we were served. First notes of tertiary aromas (mushrooms in particular). Ripe nad intergrated tannins, med body and weight. Drink or Hold.
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1/1/2019 - iamandyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Round 6 of wines served on NYE party. This was a cross between a modern and traditional style. Unmistakably Rioja but with more dark juicier fruit at entry. Nice cedar notes and bright acidity. Complimented Chorizo Sidre tapas beautifully.
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12/31/2018 - mikelikewine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Hoping this just needs more time, as I wasn’t blown away by it at this stage. Still an enjoyable wine by all means, but not up to the level of other vintages I’ve had. 08 Ardanza is more accessible at this stage. Won’t be in a rush to open my next bottle personally.
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12/27/2018 - Christine Havens Likes this wine: 95 Points
A fabulous La Rioja Alta, the 2005 Gran Reserva 904 is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano aged in American oak barrels. It opens with a kaleidoscope of subtle, alluring aromas of Japanese plum, dried leaves, dusty earth, mahogany wood, leather, pomander ball, dried mint, and Dutch cocoa powder. In the mouth, sueded tannins cradle a core of red and black fruit, slowly evolving slowly to reveal multifaceted layers. There's a good deal of finesse here, followed by a lengthy, languid finish. 13.5% ABV
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12/27/2018 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bottle 3 of Christmas dinner, held up well. Rich and deep, this has many more years in it.
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12/24/2018 - hlip wrote: 93 Points
Delicious, and even better the next day!
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12/8/2018 - wineappellation Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good fruits now with good oakiness, smoky, leather and some savoury, marzipan and transparent minerality. Polished, mid weight, very good focus, easy to drink.
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12/5/2018 - hsacks Likes this wine: 93 Points
Medium red color. Aromas of black cherries, leather and wood spices. Ripe, nicely balanced fruit in the mouth with excellent depth and length and fully integrated tannins and oak. Complex and supple on the palate. This delicious wine is at the very beginning of its peak drinking period and was outstanding with my wife's great pork tenderloin.
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11/30/2018 - Fat1Wombat wrote: 92 Points
Medium deep.
Lots of brown spice. Nutmeg and black fruit.
Rich but lacks some depth.
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11/27/2018 - tmagsmaken Likes this wine: 92 Points
Coravin Tasting (all new bottles) of
La Rioja Alta Ardanza 2008: 89 points
Very drinkable wine with a fairly concentrated nose with dominated by blackcurrant, strawberry, and cherry. Some herbal notes here and a little bit of vanilla. Full body wine with medium complexity, good length, and balance although there is a slight bitterness in the aftertaste. Overall, a quality wine representing good value for money.
La Rioja Alta 904 2005: 92 points
A high-quality wine with a medium concentrated nose with predominantly blackcurrant and cherry, but also some liquorice and vanilla. A big step up from the Ardanza, more balanced, less noticeable alcohol and more developed tannins. It is also more complex, layered and has medium-plus length. A delicious high-quality wine that represents excellent value for money.
La Rioja Alta 890 2004: 93 points
Undoubtedly a high-quality wine that has all the dark fruit of the 904 and is even more balanced and elegant. Higher complexity and length too but surprisingly not as much herbal and tertiary aromas as I was expecting. Maybe this is still too young? High-quality wine, no doubt, which is correctly priced but does not represent the same value for money as the 904.
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11/24/2018 - Gece Likes this wine:
A majesty in velvet. Plenty of plums and cherries in a mix of butter and dill. Extremely pleasant.
Still a bit young though.
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11/24/2018 - roel wrote: 92 Points
Too young to my (very personal) taste. One can easily see, taste, smell the quality in this wine, but the acidity and tannins leave room for a long further development. My guess is that I should retaste this in 5 years and that it should be in a great place for 15 years from then on.
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11/17/2018 - glou.sf Likes this wine: 92 Points
Red fruit, sweet plum, leather, and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Good acidity with flavors of red cherries, menthol, red fruit, and tart berries on the palate. Good finish. 92+
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11/17/2018 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely. Smooth. Spices and wood. Smoke. Dark cherry.
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11/12/2018 - mac-eye wrote: 90 Points
About an hour after decanting it opens up and fruit starts to balance the acid, although unsuccessfully as it it's still tilted significantly towards the acid.
Tannins are in check. An archetype of Spanish elegance. A good foil to meticulously made paella.
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11/5/2018 - Hazeo wrote: 94 Points
Drinking very well with an hour’s air. There’s no rush to drink these but oh so beautiful. Taut and high strung some might think, if they’re partial to extraction and fruit forwardness, but if you want a beautiful classic wine with mouth-watering acidity, black fruit infused with tea and spices, this wine is for you. 93
On day 2 it improved further, with a long lingering and satisfying finish. 94
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11/1/2018 - DGT83 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of black fruit in this beautiful wine. Taste of blackberries, black cherries, some cloves, little acacia and a hint of vanilla from the oak used. Still a young wine, needs some air to explore itself.
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10/27/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 12 *shared*, VERY impressive bottles] from 10/26/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Oscar, THANK you *so* much for sharing this STUNNING wine! :)
"Tempranillo (90%) & Graciano (10%) from vines over 40 years old in vineyards in Briñas, Labastida and Villalba. Alcoholic fermentation took place in s/s tanks @ 28°C & lasted 15 days. Batches were selected & allowed to complete malolactic fermentation naturally over 38 days. In March 2006, the wine was transferred to 4-year-old AM oak barrels (made in-house), where it stayed until March 2010. During ageing, the wine was racked every 6 mos using traditional barrel-to-barrel methods. After a settling period, the final blend was bottled in November 2010 [but not released until October 2015]." 13.5% ABV, 1.4 g/l Reduc. sug., 5.3 g/l T.A., & 3.61 pH.
N: Smoke, earth, vanilla, with notes of flowers
P: LM body; BEAUTIFUL frt/oak met by a pucker, yet retaining the frt as it fairly seamlessly transitions into a LONG finish with an elegant swtness to the minimal tannins. My EXC+/Exceptional-, & EVERY *bit* deserving of its phenomenal press, IMO! 90 pts Decanter, 17 & 17.5/20 (2x) with a "Good Value" from Jancis Robinson, 96 pts, an "Editors' Choice," & WE's #1 Wine of '16 @ $50, plus NUMEROUS other solid reviews listed on wine-searcher's "Tasting Notes" pg. [Wine-searcher still shows 2 U.S. sources in the $55-$60 range.]
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10/27/2018 - WineKnurd Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still drinking very nicely, this bottle I noted a bit of sediment on the shoulder once empty. Reference prior notes:
3/24/2018 - I LIKE THIS WINE: 94 Points
Black fruit, spices, and a healthy dose of american oak adding in cedar and vanilla. Truly wonderful and paired exceptionally well with a salt and pepper seared london broil. Reference 01/07/2017 note: A (94) overall evaluation.
1/7/2017 - I LIKE THIS WINE: 94 Points
No need for a decant but letting it breathe for a bit certainly won't hurt. Classic traditional Rioja nose: spicy blackberries and coffee hints with all the American oak you can stand. Intense palate of black fruit, tart blackberry, coffee with steamed vanilla milk creamer, hints of earthy tomato paste and tomato leaf, topped off with a black pepper-anise-tobacco-well worn leather tannic finish. Surprisingly good acidity to complement the chewy, leathery tannins which contribute to the strong, substantial mouthfeel. Buzzzzoff's note sums this up well. Well met at $38 JJB, Overall Eval A (94).
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10/18/2018 - Tonyboons33 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really enjoy this wine, drinking great right now.
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9/30/2018 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 94 Points
Wine Dinner featuring Paella (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake): Decanted this 2 hours. Showing amazing tonight. My wine of the night. The dill was up front but blew off quick. Wood, raspberries, tar and spices. A perfect Rioja that is still affordable. Drink now or hold for a few more years. I would not advise waiting a ton on these as they are really showing well.
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9/30/2018 - galewskj wrote: 93 Points
Paella (Margaux's Table): This is lively and joyful. There is some American oak dill but it is not that significant. Aroma of blackberry and a touch of spice on the end.
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9/29/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Paella Night and the Aftermath (Margaux's Table, White Bear Lake, MN): Dark red color. Decanted for 1.5 hours. Drank a glass over an hour. This was nice, spices, wood notes, dark raspberry, black currants, gravel, graphite, raspberry liqueur, good length. 92+pts.
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9/10/2018 - brasstab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Just as great as the last time. Elegant - maybe slightly more than two years ago - voluptuous but also tannic and lasting in its grip. Had it for a treat-myself pre-BD dinner on a Monday. I am blessed.
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9/8/2018 - casoe Likes this wine: 93 Points
This time from magnum, perhaps a bit less developed, but can repeat my last note - a very good wine with a long life ahead.
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8/26/2018 - m.lupus wrote: 94 Points
Even a point better than a year ago; about as good as old-school Rioja can get (in my limited experience). Thrilled to have three more bottles in the cellar.
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8/23/2018 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 92 Points
There is no question this wine is from Spain. The oak still dominates over the wonderful cherry flavors of the fruit.This may be to the liking of some, but not me. Give this more bottle time. I could really be something special in a few more years.
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8/19/2018 - Slaz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Terrific combination of much energy, balanced acidity, and delightful fruit. Evolved with air, going full-throtle after about 2 hours of decanting. Notable improvement relative to my last tasting in 7/2017.
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8/14/2018 - sooper65 wrote: 95 Points
splendid expression of Tempranillo if ever there was one.
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8/10/2018 - Oddbod Likes this wine: 93 Points
In perfect condition right now. Nose exploding with a perfume of wild strawberries, old leather, smoked meats and damsons. Fade on the colour, but complete palate, tannins fully integrated, lifted acidity, rich, perfumed, delicate and soft. A delight.
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8/9/2018 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Enocre un peu terreux et boisé, bien dans
l`ensemble...à revoir dans quelques années!
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7/22/2018 - rcvx Likes this wine: 93 Points
natural cork in good shape, this is ruby color with garnet hints, and so parfumed! red fruit (cherry and plum), wet leaves, orange peel, some balsamic and even mineral notes. High acidity, tanninous, showing flavours of fresh red cherry and plum, with medium body and a medium+ finish. Very good.
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7/6/2018 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not quite the wow factor I was expecting for a 96 point wine, but very good nevertheless. Medium/full bodied, well balanced. Not a wine I have drunk a great deal of previously but would be surprised if it would last another 10-20 years, maybe 5ish?
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6/25/2018 - Darkman Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful wine, drinking well now but can definitely age for a couple more years
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6/20/2018 - StainedGlass Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dense, rich and has all the elements but not yet knitted together, even in day 2. Hold until 2020+.
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6/16/2018 - Eriksen Vejle Likes this wine: 91 Points
Full rich and smooth wine still with some potential in the bottle. Expected more tannins but then again such a Gran Reserva does not dissappoint
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6/15/2018 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 92 Points
A year and a half later and identical notes. Perhaps less vanilla and more integrated oak. Still very fruity and purple with some leather and cherry. Elegant and on the lighter side, not a heavily extracted wine. Much better on day 2, so perhaps this still needs time. 3 more bottles. Try again in 2020.
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6/14/2018 - WilD wrote: 95 Points
Very young and with real potential, densely packed with fruit, acidity, oak and tannin. Very nice acid backbone. A huge difference than the 2001 which is more delicate.
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6/13/2018 - petec-s Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very young and with real potential, densely packed with fruit, acidity, oak and tannin. Delicious but needing time to unravel.
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6/7/2018 - maxima wrote: 90 Points
De la terre, des fruits noirs et de beaux tannins.
Long et ample, bien aimé.
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6/6/2018 - rossi.wine wrote: flawed
From magnum. Tasted next to the impressive 2004. Cork taint on both nose and palate unfortunately.
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6/2/2018 - depechemoroder Likes this wine: 90 Points
From a magnum. Needs very long decanting, but still not terribly forthcoming. Lean berry and cherry fruit, softens with time. Highly perfumed tobacco and herbaceous lift, very fine texture with the right stuffing for a long and beautiful future. 91+ potential.
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5/26/2018 - VoteferPedro Likes this wine:
popnpour at end of lovely evening sitting on porch w friends....nonstandard glassware
oak and cherry on the nose w matching palate
delicious and classy but poorly served
It needed a decant and proper stemware to shine
These could cellar another decade
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5/18/2018 - bajayngo wrote:
American oak usually stands out for my palate but it is the perfect marriage for Rioja! Picked notes followed by pure vanilla with a hint of smoke, deep cherry fruit, loads of tobacco leaf and black tea. So pretty, balanced and delicious.
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5/14/2018 - Iam Redwood wrote: 94 Points
Mother' day at Bricco. Damn this is everything Wine Enthusiast' said it was. Loads or character, this wine has soul. Marry up with serious food of character.
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5/11/2018 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely wine - drank with home made paella.
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4/30/2018 - mikemboutiquewines wrote: 96 Points
From magnum. The previous bottles huge oak notes have dissipated and this wine is now in balaance and singing. A crazy good value!
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4/22/2018 - K&J Likes this wine: 95 Points
Extraordinary wine! Old world Rioja done with perfection! Wine is balanced and harmonious, fruity yet restrained. Give it about an hour or more after opening and enjoy.
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4/21/2018 - Mark van Delft wrote: 91 Points
Red cherries, nice acidity, bit too dominant vanilla, medium body, good aftertaste. Drink now up to 15 years
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4/21/2018 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 93 Points
93-94. Just great. Nice complexity, secondary flavours. Long. Very well made
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4/18/2018 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 90 Points
The oak is still a bit raspy. I know this is and should be always an oaky wine - it's proper for the Gran Reserva style. But best leave this wine some more years.
{13.5%, cork}
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4/2/2018 - Winokdub wrote: 91 Points
A very good wine overall but I was expecting more. Should still hold strong for many more years.
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3/25/2018 - DFBW Likes this wine: 90 Points
5-way Rioja tasting with 2004 Tondonia, 2009 Prado Enea, 2007 Ardanza and 2011 Muga Seleccion Especial. The expected winner actually came third but still a delicious wine that is set for more with some more bottle age.
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3/25/2018 - "Rhône Rider" Likes this wine: 91 Points
2005 La Rioja Alta 904
Av 2001, 20014 og 2005 synes jeg denne har kommet lengst i modningsprosessen. Moreller, tørket frukt, vanilje, litt blomster på nese. Samme i munn. Bestemt syre og flott Tanninstruktur. Vaniljepreget er fremdeles kranglete.89
Dag 2: Langt mere bugundersk i stilen, med tørket frukt, litt spices , rips og tobakk. Helt finpolert, og fatbruken er bedre integrert. Frisk med bra lengde. Litt søt fruktstil. La ligge i 5 år til. 91
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3/25/2018 - casoe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still going strong, and has both the fruit, tannin and acidity to develop from here. Balanced nose of red berries - cherry, strawberry, cola, vanilla ... still surprisingly fruity for a wine this age. Fresh and fruity in the mouth as well. Not the most persistent and complex taste in the world but extremely balanced and interesting - you really want to have the next sip. Happy I still have 12 left.
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3/24/2018 - WineKnurd Likes this wine: 94 Points
Black fruit, spices, and a healthy dose of american oak adding in cedar and vanilla. Truly wonderful and paired exceptionally well with a salt and pepper seared london broil. Reference 01/07/2017 note: A (94) overall evaluation.
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3/24/2018 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 96 Points
Served pnp. Consistent with prior bottles, last tasted September, 2016. Bright crimson in color, this wine (90% Tempranillo/10% Graciano) reveals intense and focused aromas of camphor, saddle leather, vanilla bean and dried herbs on the nose. The mouth feel brought smoky elements, more dried herbs and a gamy, meaty feel. The finish was 45+ seconds of succulent dried red fruits, leather and perfect levels of acidity. 13.5% abv.
Purchased for $45US, this wine was paired with a medium-rare T-Bone steak tonight at a local BYOB. My GF ended up eating more of my steak than her double-cut pork chop when she realized what an awesome pairing this was. This was my last 2005 vintage of this wine. I'm kicking myself for not buying more at this price. This wine has many more years of life.
Imported by Skurnik Wines, New York, NY.
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3/23/2018 - Lemari Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium garnet in color, with generous notes of cherry and strawberry making for a most inviting nose. Drinking delightfully, but this vintage is getting along in age, drink before 2021.
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3/22/2018 - pinoteer Does not like this wine: 85 Points
There's much to like about this wine, but the heavy-handed oak treatment is not one of them. If I'd know about the oak dominance in this wine before buying, I don't think that I'd have purchased 8 bottles. I'm hoping that the oak further integrates in the coming years, as this could still be a stellar wine. As it is, the oak creates a flavor imbalance that leaves one drinking an 85-point wine, at best. Frankenwines such as these are completely anathema to making wine in the vineyard.
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3/18/2018 - David J Cooper wrote: 88 Points
Medium light red. Intense caramel, dill and dark fruit nose. The American oak dominates the nose. Very dry dark fruit flavours and a long tannic finish dominated by now smoky oak.
This could improve in time. I am surprised at how much oakiness this wine shows.
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3/17/2018 - "Rhône Rider" Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rubinrød med oransje kant. Nese viser tørket røde frukter, litt tobakk, vanilje kirsebær og lakris bak. Solid fruktkonentrasjon, men også en solid dose vanilje fra fat. Flott syre og fløyelsmyk tanninstruktur. Bra lengde. For mye eik nå. Trenger tid til å riste av seg dette.. 90 nå. Blir bedre om 10 år.
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3/14/2018 - Biskuit Likes this wine: 91 Points
Y’all, let this one sit! Big and bold, kinda CdP-ish. Needs time to integrate if you ask me. (Ok, much better on night 3 after vacuvin)
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3/14/2018 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
Again lovely, if maybe a little less expressive. 92-94
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3/13/2018 - robertgf wrote: 93 Points
Tasting at Kevin's 3/10/18
Beautiful oaky, leathery, earthy nose, with red fruit. Hints of dill (apparently result of American oak ?). Drinking perfectly in balance now. The oakiness is in perfect harmony with everything else. Lingering finish. I have several of the 07
vintage that I also rated 93 points. My red WOTN.
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3/10/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
A Last Minute Saturday Evening: Medium dark red color. Splash decant, drank 1 glass over 2 hours. I was really surprised how well this was drinking, really pretty right from the start. Evocative nose with a fine perfume of flowers, leather and red fruits, earth, with hints of dried wood and dill in the background. I love how the wood frames everything with subtle accents on both the nose and palate. The medium bodied palate shows a lot of earth, tart plum, tart berry, oak, tar and burnt embers, light dill, soft tannins and a long finish. Loved it. 93+pts.
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2/28/2018 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 92 Points
Color - Dark garnet
Aromas - Aromatic dried red fruit, balsamic, cedar, damp earth and leather with hints of mocha and savory spice
Body - Medium-bodied, elegant, layered and harmonious with fresh, tangy acidity
Taste - Dried black cherry, plum, vanilla, leather, and subtle spice and mineral notes
Finish - Long and savory
13.5% abv|$SRP - $45
Blend of Tempranillo and 10% Graciano. Aged 4 years in used American oak.
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2/24/2018 - rossi.wine wrote: 94 Points
Beautifully dusty, smoky, spicy nose with dark fruit, leather and cocoa. Expressive, rather open and intriguing. On the palate more restrained, still rather firm tannic structure, great acidity, lovely fruit. Grippy and vibrant finish, very long. The best bottle so far, but this may well improve further. 93-95
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2/20/2018 - nywine68 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious! Super fragrant, the aromas jump out of the glass. Medium body with fine grained tannins. A long lingering finish. Flavors of stewed cherries with smoke and licorice. Beautiful funky complex mushroom and truffle notes.
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2/2/2018 - Rollerball wrote: 95 Points
A dramatic opening and softening from the two-hour mark to the five-hour mark. Really a delight to watch this unfold. rings like holiday chimes on the uplifting finish.
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1/31/2018 - Spargel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Better than last tasting. Nose with very strong aromas, prunes, cranberries. Prunes continue on palate, tannins well integrated.Potential 95+
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1/27/2018 - Isobel goudi Likes this wine: 93 Points
Einfach gut jetzt. Besser als noch vor 2 Jahren.
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1/23/2018 - ESCO wrote:
The preparation of this wine , the procedures that the winery goes through makes this wine the result of almost mathematical precision.
And therein lies the enigma. ; it might be a formulaic wine, based on nothing more than good chemistry. But in reality it is a sublime work of art that supercedes protocols. It has, to be prosaic, a soul. It is ethereal. We are not fortunate enough to be well acquainted with this wine but on our first meeting we will be lifelong friends. We could give you the gen, the stats, the flavour, the nose and still it would merely hint at the overall experience.
Fantastic...............the first wine we really cannot attribute a score, it is that good.
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1/21/2018 - GlenviewGSW Likes this wine: 90 Points
a very traditional Rioja form my perspective. Slightly sour cherry flavors with good minerality on an elegant but balanced frame. Not a tremendous amount of complexity or length on the finish as the acidity takes over. good food wine.
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1/20/2018 - scott w Likes this wine:
My first bottle of this vintage, fruit was delicious, but on this bottle anyways something was not quite right, seemed a little out of wack for lack of a better descriptor.
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1/15/2018 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 93 Points
MNB: Rioja and Laterals (Home (Noe st)): (blind)
Medium minus ruby to a garnet rim - shows some age or oxidation.
Dried cherry, dusty earth, light dog fur brett, dried leaves, light oxidation - bruised apple.
On the palate, dry, medium bodied, elevated alcohol - 13.5%, elevated acid, medium tannins - rounded and melted. Long finish - dried sour cherry, sweet tobacco, sweet bruised apple. There's also an acetic balsamic quality to this, and some used oak - dried, dusty baking spice. Beautiful mix of tamari cherry, VA, balsamic, brett, and oak. It reminds me of Musar.
Very Bordeaux-like, but no Pyrazines.
Call: Gran Reserva Rioja 2005, very good quality.
Actual: La rioja alta 2005 Gran Reserva 13.5% alcohol. Right on all counts!
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1/15/2018 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Liked it very much, without much decanting. pared with Indian curry.
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1/15/2018 - anstruletz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Time has been kind thus far in integrating the wood. Fruit is starting to show through - especially after an hour. Chocolate and coffee and black fruits are most present, with the hint of some secondary funk appearing. Very nice and built for the long haul.
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1/11/2018 - sooper65 wrote: 92 Points
Very soft, so easy to drink
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1/7/2018 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 93 Points
Rich and rewarding Rioja that rewards every sense with its fulsome power while also lingering on the palate with deep subtleties.
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1/4/2018 - mplsbruin Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice. Thanks to BnD for this one!
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1/1/2018 - jrh82 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Such a great wine. Keep coming back to La Rioja Alta's 904 Gran Reserva and it never diappoints. When I first popped the cork there is way too much vanilla coming from those american oak barrels but it blows off with air and integrates beautifully. Notes of sour cherry, balsamic vinager, strawberry, earth, licorice on the nose. Refreshing acidity. Oak, earth, cherry on the taste. Drying tannins although becoming very integrated. Highly recommendable.
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12/27/2017 - fozzibaer Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was just perfect. I don't really know why I don't rate this higher other than for the fact that it has a reasonable price tag. Great wine from one of my favorite wineries.
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12/25/2017 - Vinomazing Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bottle #1 of 2. Dang-it she needed to open, kinda started to open way late into bottle as we topped her off. Happens when in rush for holidays and bring a new unknown wine to family. Just set upright for sediment to fall and corked her 24 hours before; 25% of time w cork out. Sorry my mind was on Holiday so no details except was quite good tasting and all agreed, the Rioja fans more so. Seemed there is something brewing we did Not give time to form, yet still showed balance through and was pleasing to drink several glasses each. Excited about bottle #2, besides great taste, she should and think could reach a 93+ range if she comes together and opens fully. Hard to exactly pinpoint as she was quickly all gone, twas my fault senor Rioja, but you tasted quite nice.
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12/25/2017 - Gian wrote: 90 Points
Nose of red fruits, cherries, balsamic, refreshing acidity, still young, need at least three more years. Will improve at sure one or two points
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12/13/2017 - mac-eye Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quite good Rioja but less intense and concentrated than I expected for a Gran Reserva.
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12/10/2017 - Crispin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Stunning right on opening. And depend during the evening. Too easy to drink!
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12/3/2017 - Margaux Bro wrote: 89 Points
Keowee Wine Mixer; 12/2/2017-12/3/2017 (Seneca, SC): Tasted blind. This was one of the last wines so my discernment was getting difficult at this point, as I was not spitting. We ran out of space on the notes so I didn't have much else written as far as descriptors. So I only wrote a score of 89 and thought it was Tempranillo or Malbec. I would have expected more from La Rioja Alta, and this was the lowest score I assigned of the night.
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12/2/2017 - Lemari wrote: 94 Points
The '05 vintage is exceptional. Well balanced structure and tannins anchored by a dominant cherry flavor.
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12/2/2017 - SnowMeadow Likes this wine: 92 Points
So much of the journey lies ahead here. The oak could stand additional integration and the acid will keep this trucking for years. That said? Awfully tasty right now with a fair bit of air. Just classic Rioja, right down the line. Lovely.
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11/30/2017 - nywine68 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Absolutely delicious. Complex earthy, mushroom and black olive notes. Still a bit tannic but the wine mellows with some time in the glass. Long lingering finish that goes on and on.
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11/12/2017 - seijaro Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice strong Rioja, fully mature even though it's a new release... evidently they hold it for 15 years! We don't drink much Rioja so the taste is novel for us and we liked it, even if we can't describe it. A nice change from all the Cabs, Syrahs, and Zins we are used to.
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11/9/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit, vanilla, leather, cocoa powder, spices on the nose. Quite open and layered. On the palate still quite grippy, but certainly approachable. Pure fruit, lots of acidity, spicy finish. Very nice length. Drink or keep. 91-93
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11/6/2017 - gjv115 Likes this wine:
Needs a few hours of air
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11/4/2017 - michigan66 wrote: 93 Points
Still very dense and strong, but we had to get a Rioja for a lamb meal.
Dark color and fruity note. Already enjoyable, but will last for at leas10 more years.
This is a great Rioja!
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10/16/2017 - CWilliam wrote:
Didn't take notes - nice savory flavor profile and I enjoyed this bottle.
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10/15/2017 - bebroxson wrote: 89 Points
A little disappointed with this one. Compared to another Gran Reserva of comparable caliber, this one fell flat. I have one more bottle of this and will save for a few years.
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10/4/2017 - MrBrege wrote: 90 Points
So I understand why many wine-lovers gives this a good rating. It is polished, balanced and with good intensity and length. It's just not for me, I find it too fruity and sweet; I prefer it massively to the typical Napa fruit-bomb and would buy it as a good every-day wine, but still feel it lacks sophistication.
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10/2/2017 - J3r0me H@n Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark chocolate covered cherries on the nose with some dill and oak spice.
Dark fruit and more wood spice with a fairly good level of acid keeping things fresh enough. Clear american oak influence as per the style but fairly well integrated.
Drinking much better than the 2004 which will probably require much more time.
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9/30/2017 - Paradigm Media Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice. Surprising amount of fruit that continued to develop while it opened over a two hour period. Classic "dusty" earthiness that I love with Rioja.
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9/29/2017 - Ianthemac Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistently superb. Everything that I have previously commented on and then some. £10 a bottle more expensive than a year ago - still a bargain!
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9/16/2017 - tgemerson wrote:
Very good, all in the right place, but I don't think this has entered its drinking window yet. 4 hour decant and didn't really open up and show itself. My sense is that this may need another 5 years before it lets its hair down and releases its full flavour set.
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9/14/2017 - winemaker Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is bigger and more rich than the 2001 Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial. When first opened the wine was a bit sharp, but with an hour or two of air, it really opened up nicely. Glad I have more.
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9/12/2017 - Hazeo wrote: 93 Points
Such an amazing wine for the price. Rich dark cherries, black tea, hint of tobacco, dusty red fruit, minerally, silky and elegant. Better than the 01 and 04 in my opinion.
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9/2/2017 - Ianthemac Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same rating as before. Restocked from BBX at a reasonable £30 a bottle. I just love this wine. Some may not like the American oak, but it suits me just fine. Lovely vanilla tones and ripe fruit. The tannins are still there. I think this will get better still.
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8/30/2017 - Mark van Delft Likes this wine: 91 Points
LRA delivers! Dark cheries, blackberries, cedar, low acidity, medium to full body, little too much oak, yet a lot better (less oak) than I remembered, good aftertaste. Drinking very well now up to 15-20 years.
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8/23/2017 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful wine! It has developed nicely. The only negative is that I wish the finish had been a little longer. Dark fruit, smooth with only slight tannins remaining. Great representation for an upscale Tempranillo from Rioja. May have to pick up the current vintage (2007) as it received similar accolades.
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8/19/2017 - shaunzhang Does not like this wine: 88 Points
I don't like this wine.complex but too acid.woody.
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8/11/2017 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent stuff. Cherry driven. Wood notes. Complex.
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8/11/2017 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice and complex. Really cherry-like. Nice complexity coming in.
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8/10/2017 - "Rhône Rider" Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rødbær, tobakk, struktur, frisk. Litt varmere utrykk enn 2001 og 2004., 90
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8/8/2017 - Herschel Krustofski Likes this wine:
Great promise but very young! Takes about 3.5 hours in the glass to open up (no decanter; it's 70ml sample from Coravin; first access). Slightly more open than the 2004. Both need another 4-5 years at the very least.
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8/4/2017 - lvjohn Likes this wine: 90 Points
We decanted this wine and found no solids. It's very pure, but also very woody. It smells of sweet newly sawn oak. It does taste of sweet cherries primarily. All that wood gets in the way of any complexity in the overall structure of the wine. It seems young, but who knows how long it will go? Let's hope that a very more months of cellaring will improve things.
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8/4/2017 - gouldcampbell77 wrote:
Very dark ruby purple - much darker than I remember the 2001. Sweet and sour dark cherry fruit and well integrated oak and stunning concentration. However, there's a slight hint of cork on the nose and palate spoiling the picture but it's clear there's excellent material underneath so judgement reserved. I'll just have to crack open another bottle. Ho hum...
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8/3/2017 - AfleetAlex wrote: 88 Points
Perhaps there was an issue with storage pre-purchase, or maybe I was expecting too much, because I wasn't that impressed. Very hot, lots of pepper and quite a bit of bite for it's age...especially considering it didn't have a long finish. I did like the rosemary.
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7/31/2017 - leonwine wrote: 94 Points
Nose medium+ intensity, with aromas of earth, dried red flowers, dark red plums, Cherry.
On the palate, flavour intensity, with flavours of dark red plums, Cherry ,meaty, Nice integrated Oak . Long finish.
Very good quality. remarkable QPR to likes of Bordeaux. Can keep longer but my wait.
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7/29/2017 - juergenlink Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful complex, fruity earthy aroma. Color reflects age - flavor complex, soft well balance. Drink now / soon
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7/29/2017 - Merengue wrote:
A well made wine, Blackberries, black cherries and raspberry notes, Low acidity and integrated tannins, with an elegant medium body. Everything is smooth and balanced until a gigantic wave of oak and coconut hits you on the finish and persists for a while. American Oak is a bit too much for me, i hope it integrates but there is a lot of it.
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7/28/2017 - Slaz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lots of Old World elegance and balance, even if the oak is still too prominent. Improved over several hours of decanting. A consistently remarkable balance of acidity, tannins, and fruit, across vintages and within this vintage. LRA rocks.
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7/23/2017 - Wuhan Joe Likes this wine: 91 Points
Blackberries and black cherries with notes of cedar and oak. A purity of taste reminiscent of a good Brunello. Integrated tannins, balanced and elegant. Drinking beautifully now and will probably last a while yet.
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7/9/2017 - Golf_Wine Likes this wine: 90 Points
A very good wine - just entering its drinking window.
It really opened up well after an hour and drank well to the end of the bottle an hour later. Smooth silky - taste very typical for this grape in a good wine.
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7/2/2017 - iDrum4Wine Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark ruby hue that opens with dried leaves and rosemary. Full-bodied density that carries blackberry and fig on the palate and finishes long with wet gravel and cedar. Great balance of acidity/fruit with supple tannins.
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7/2/2017 - thomasqi Likes this wine: 92 Points
酸度支撑异常出色,活跃,惜回味稍短
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6/30/2017 - Lazerlar wrote:
This was drinking very nicely upon opening but during the later part of our 4 hr. drinking window it seemed to loose quite a bit. 91 earlier falling to a 89
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6/29/2017 - Ajvandet Likes this wine: 90 Points
It was good however I think it was at a decline. Not a long aftertaste
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6/24/2017 - bgreenak Likes this wine: 95 Points
Delicious! but time to drink it now. Turning brown around edges.
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6/12/2017 - spillwine wrote: 86 Points
trop de bois, trop jeune...
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6/9/2017 - vino vidi vici wrote:
lots of oak on this one... too much for me.
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5/24/2017 - Red Devils Likes this wine: 94 Points
Full of raspberry notes. Very smooth. No tannins. Seems to be rounding into the perfect time to drink for a 2005 vintage. Highly recommend grabbing and drinking a few.
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5/24/2017 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 93 Points
Artadi Night (Extra Space): Drank from bottle over 3 hours.
Appearance is clear, medium intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose medium+ intensity, with aromas of barnyard, earth, dried red flowers, dark red plums, dark meat. Developing.
On the palate, dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (13.5%), smooth medium+ tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of dark red plums, boysenberries, dark meat, earth, toasty coconut and vanilla oak. Long finish.
Very good quality. Pretty damm good QPR. Another 5+ years of development with integration of the oak and this is going to be very lovely.
90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano.
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5/22/2017 - jeffclavier Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pretty incredible, really enjoyable right now but still very serious aging potential. Should have bought more!
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5/15/2017 - straight outta iowa Likes this wine: 93 Points
I expected this wine, poured after about an hour of aeration from magnum, to suffer somewhat in comparison to a terrific mag of Musar 97 with Lebanese food. Fortunately I was very wrong. I also would have expected some degree of infanticide, but rather it is in a beautiful place right now. Bigger than the Musar, of course, but not harsh or austere, with the telltale cherry vanilla and spice of a great rioja. Great balance and nice length. Perhaps a curmudgeon might call it "too advanced" for a magnum at 12 years of age, but I suspect it is at the beginning of a multi decade drinking window. And needless to say, a terrific value.
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5/15/2017 - ProfByron wrote: 90 Points
La Rioja Alta make great wine, but I confess to being slightly disappointed by this vintage. It's instantly attractive, soft warm rich, but less interesting than earlier vintages.
{cork, 13.5%}
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5/5/2017 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine: 92 Points
From a magnum, Dark red, lovely nose of earth, plums, medium bodied, not heavy, very elegant and balanced
92
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5/3/2017 - Iceman611 wrote: 90 Points
When I first popped and poured I enjoyed the intensity of fruit and earthy flavors including tobacco. Nice with food. After I'd finished dinner, the wine cane across a bit thinner and drier, reminiscent of dried leaves. I'm curious how it will taste on day two. I've had vintages of this wine that are among my favorite expressions of Rioja. However this is borderline for me. I also tasted a 2001 recently thy didn't live up to my expectations.
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4/30/2017 - kdubler Likes this wine:
Blind tasting with the group (SLC): I've tasted this wine blind so many times I'm glad I finally figured out what it was. Garnet, slightly orange as well. Powerful nose, leather, blackberry, plum, currant, pomegranate and boysenberry. Oak is noticeable and has that coconut and dill you expect from classic Rioja, but it is very balanced and does not stand out. Everything is in balance, tannins, acid, alcohol. Beautiful wine
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4/22/2017 - Sugarb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Super solid Rioja, decanted over 3 hours. Red-brown color implied otential lack of fruit but the balance of fruit and acidity was spot on. In a good drinking window now, not sure I see it going much more than another 18 months.
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4/21/2017 - Mirrina Likes this wine: 90 Points
Compared vintages: 1987, 1990, 2001, 2005
Clear, pale ruby in colour, no sediment. Clean aroma of red and a bit black fruits, cellar, sweet spicies, flowers, fallen leaves, vanilla, a tint of almond, med+ intensity, developing. Palate: dry, acidity med+, tannin med, alcohol med-, body med, intencity med+, red and a bit black fruits, cherry, fallen leaves, sweetness, earth tone, sweet spicies, vanilla, some oak, almond, finish med+. Outstanding, suitable for future aging.
Harmonious wine, now looks less interesting and complex, than all the others, about 89, think, just needs inough time to develop.
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4/8/2017 - m.lupus Likes this wine: 93 Points
Seriously old school. Took a while to `live up' even though it had been opened 1.5 hours before drinking it. Fans of 'modern' wines will probably be put off. From my point of view, bless the people who still make this sort of wine!
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4/5/2017 - drwine2001 wrote:
Medium ruby. All pine resin on the nose, which just gives me a viscerally negative reaction, just like the sickening florality one can sometimes find in Gewurztraminer. Medium weight, cherry and plum, some cocoa dust and spice, but at the end of the day, it is the oak that speaks most loudly and squashes everything else. It is always the same story from La Rioja Alta; beats me as to why I even keep trying them since I hate this style.
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4/3/2017 - bretrooks wrote:
Decanted ~1 hour, consumed over ~2 hours. Dark red fruits on the nose, iron and earth, some barrel notes showing. There was a subtle papery aspect which I went back and forth on - was this the effect of oak or just the barest hint of TCA? It detracted very little in the end, and this matched well with both my lamb and my wife's spicy chicken dish. Very good, although for my palate and at the higher price, I'm not sure I would choose it often over either of the LdH reservas.
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3/31/2017 - Cikgoo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lighter than initially thought but very nice palette on the spicy side. After 1hr it drinks really well.
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3/25/2017 - HL Pong Likes this wine: 92 Points
Apperance : clear, medium ruby, with legs and pettilance
On nose :Double decanded for 2hrs, medium+ intensity, dry red berries, dry plum, followed with mushroom, a bit rusty, wet paper, liqourice, tobacco, cedar and sweet coconut oak aroma. Very typical American oak berral aging.
On palate, High acidity, medium+ flavour intensity, medium+ body, medium+ alcohol, mature and high tannin and well integrated. All aroma on palate could be found with quite savoury and dark chocolate bitterness flavour. Long finishing.
This wine is a good wine and it is a very ordinary Rioja, but it suprised me that the alcohol level(13.5%ABV) is a bit lower than the ordinary grapes of Tempranillo. Nice one, this is an elegant one with no doubt. It can be drunk now or aged for 5 more years for futher development
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3/12/2017 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 93 Points
Blind Spanish Tasting (château du Chevlin): Favorite of the group tasted and easily identified as LRA. Ruby/Garnet color, medium body, plum and sweet vanilla on the nose, after a few hrs open showed some tar notes. American oak very evident per usual.
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3/7/2017 - conviction buy wrote: 91 Points
Slowly bt decanted over few hrs, color is deep ruby offering a mixture of red fruits and oak aroma. Very elegant on palate with balanced acidity and fruits. Quite oaky to the long finish. Best to pair with food.
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3/3/2017 - T.E.D. wrote: 90 Points
A bigger style Rioja, showing a nose of rich oak and some stewed berry and vanilla. Palate was smooth and well integrated with more cherry notes, dusty fruit, leather and wood. Well made and easy drinking.
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3/3/2017 - heineken Likes this wine: 93 Points
Impressive deep, complex and traditional Rioja nose showing blackberry, vanilla and dried plums followed by balsamic notes of forest floor, leather, tobacco and some chocolate. Harmonic, medium bodied and fruit driven mouthfeel matching the bouquet with fine tannins and acidity. Very long beautiful vanilla, dried plums and leathery finish. A TOP Rioja!
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2/26/2017 - Raizes wrote: flawed
corked这种事,谁也不想的……
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2/26/2017 - Surinam Likes this wine: 92 Points
very nice.
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2/26/2017 - gtilley wrote: 92 Points
Really very good indeed. Taken to a dinner party, pnp'd by the hosts at the end of the evening, not really ideal tasting circumstances, but really very fragrant - plum, mint, cocoa, dried herbs, soft palate - an hour of decanting would have done the world of good, but sitting very nicely at the moment and likely to improve for at least 5-10 years I'd say.
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2/23/2017 - fc1910 Likes this wine: 92 Points
My next try of this GR 904 as LRA is among my favourite bodegas from la Rioja, tried this 2005 vintage first at Haro, LRA S.A. last year, todays bottle is showing a strong fragrance with some ripe red fruit like amarena cherry and sweet lingonberry, coconut, caramel, white chocolate with hazelnut, starting with a fresh mouthfeel, some superficial savoury red fruit, ripe tannin, delicious and fullbodied texture with mineralic and fruity nut hints on the midpalate, ending long+, still youthful with a lot of lively acidity, very tasty with some aeration now but this 904 is just starting its Gran Reserva life, for the next decade(s)......, one remark to the rising 13,5% ABV of this 904, for me a little change of style to a more fullbodied wine, a little more international, only some vintages ago the GR 904 was the LRA example just for finesse and elegance with less alcohol, nevertheless still a delicious and superior young Rioja GR, **(**+), 90- 94+(+?)
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2/20/2017 - moben Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic length and balance. Could still age a bit but perhaps near peak.
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2/18/2017 - Procurare Likes this wine: 95 Points
I thought this wine spectacular. The nose was complex with leather, cedar, stones and light fruit. The balance was amazing standing on all four legs strong. The taste was more complex than the nose showing wonderful integrated tannin, light fruit, and mushroomed forest floor undertones. The expected oak was pronounced but totally in balance. The finish was long. The only thing this wine lacked was age. A great Rioja!
A. 5 N. 8 B. 9. T 19 F. 4 95 points
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2/18/2017 - kevin h wrote: 93 Points
Classic Gran Reserva with all the complexity of redcurrant fruit, mocha, orange peel and savoury notes you'd expect. Clearly will develop for ages but superb now.
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2/17/2017 - tarenshaw Likes this wine:
Blueberry, Raisin, Stewed Plum. Leather, tobacco, chocolate, mint, saffron, cedar dust, american oak, some barnyard...
Medium-plus body/tannin/acid/alcohol. Complexity abounds throughout the long finish.
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2/12/2017 - Jeff W wrote:
Savoury, smoky, leathery, earthy. Rich and dark. The finish is all oaky, sweet tannins. A seductive and classic Rioja. dg
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2/11/2017 - spacewrangler wrote: 94 Points
Just an amazing wine all around with some aeration. I'm a huge Heredia fan but this has everything going on in its youth. Probably at peak in 10-15 years.
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2/10/2017 - Wuhan Joe wrote: 90 Points
Still with plenty of dark fruit, aromatic with hints of herbs and cedar. Good tannins, very dry. Nice finish. Balanced and refreshing.
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2/7/2017 - Steve Brickley Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bright but lighter purple/red; Forest floor nose; immediately drinking on pnp and improving over the hour, chalky texture, cherry, an easy wine to drink on pnp, alcohol in check. I am really enjoying the easy access to this somewhat lighter styled rioja. Enough tannins/acid to continue to mellow for years, maybe ten or so years. Drinking window 2017 to 2027 or more.
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2/6/2017 - dresden wrote: 93 Points
Lovely wine. Well integrated and so easy to drink. Looks like it could last a while longer, but no need to wait now.
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2/5/2017 - All Is Whale wrote: 80 Points
COM---------PLEX. I think a CLASSIC palate would take it serious, naah mean?
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2/4/2017 - thefatheroftheyear Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 30 minutes. Still young. but on its way to stardom
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2/4/2017 - wtianseter wrote: 90 Points
Nice medium body fruity with nice aging, well balanced and long light tannin. I enjoyed it thoroughly but was disappointed when looking at the "professional" ratings. I was hoping for the 92-94 wine, which this bottle was not. A good wine but not worth the$40-50 current pricing.
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2/3/2017 - nywine68 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consumed with cheese so dulled the flavors a bit. Still a very nice rioja. A slight green note on the nose but not on the taste. Saturated jammy red and plum flavors. Good acidity and length.
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2/2/2017 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bathed in American oak. Vanilla, dill, cinammon, spices, but it definitely has bright red fruit and some leather. Actually much lighter bodied and not very tannic. I expected denser and more extracted. Elegant and lively and very pleasant. The only people that won't like this are those who can't stand American oak. Drink now or over the next 20 years.
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2/1/2017 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine:
Savory, game, cherries bouquet, medium bodied, elegant, a very good wine
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1/28/2017 - microbox Likes this wine: 92 Points
in a good spot now
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1/28/2017 - Spargel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fresh, fruity nose.On palate (a bit too much) wood, smokey, black fruits. Not very complex, but pleasant wine.
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1/28/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
On the nose ripe fruit, spices, vanilla, leather, tobacco. Fresh and quite grippy on the palate, generous fruit, very long. Drink or keep. 92-94
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1/26/2017 - galewskj wrote: 90 Points
Spanish Wines (Craigs group) (The Kenwood): This wine had a balanced style, but the 1998 had considerably more complexity tonight. Elegant, classic Rioja.
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1/25/2017 - andtheodor wrote:
Tasted blind. Immediate hit of marshmallow, cotton candy, jellybean, just comical levels of new American oak. The palate, despite some acrid oak, is silky and fleshy and somehow lithe and sweetly fruited. A few hours in the decanter and the obnoxious oak is mostly gone leaving behind a very pretty wine. This has to be CVNE or La Rioja Alta. A good wine full of promise.
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1/22/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
Liked the balance and style. Just needs more time to show its underlying depth more. The 98 was more expressive and resolved tonight.
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1/21/2017 - brianakrin wrote: 91 Points
elegant, don't know that more age will make much difference, D/H
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1/20/2017 - Esteve63 wrote: 89 Points
looking forward to trying after all the press. Purchased at costco for $45, convenient for the price. after drinking over 2 hours I have to say that I'm not swooning over this. The 2004 Vina Ardanza I much more preferred. This is rioja, but feel at it's at peak or slightly past. Lithe and for me I need a little more fruit to prop up. maybe should have had with paella vs the steak I grilled. I'll try one more time.
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1/17/2017 - Old Amarone Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine was really tight when opened it! We were not happy at fist taste. However given 20 minutes in the glass, it began to mushroom onto a very nice wine!!
The wine looks purple colored and the legs are medium height. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like cinnamon. The body is medium. The wine has leathery texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has low acidity.
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1/16/2017 - TahoeJoe Likes this wine:
Drinking well. It will be much better in 2-3 years. Needs to decant about two hours if drinking today. Bit bright and acidic without decanting. Mellowed out after sitting a couple of hours.
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1/14/2017 - WetRock wrote:
This bottle showed as being a bit cooked. There were hints of what is in the other notes here and there. Some floral notes peeking out and then maybe some hints of rich fruit but mostly just baked over wine. Possible storage shipping issue here or maybe the vast majority of other drinkers here are smoking something. You decide.
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1/13/2017 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium red, on the nose like a mini 890, creamy, cherries, in the mouth poised and balance, very fine
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1/11/2017 - Loekkeboe Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great Rioja. Very characteristic.
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1/10/2017 - gjv115 wrote:
Must be an off bottle. Drank from coravin. Tastes like orange juice. Like somebody poured orange juice into a slightly used wine barrel. It's drinkable but not great.
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1/7/2017 - WineKnurd Likes this wine: 94 Points
No need for a decant but letting it breathe for a bit certainly won't hurt. Classic traditional Rioja nose: spicy blackberries and coffee hints with all the American oak you can stand. Intense palate of black fruit, tart blackberry, coffee with steamed vanilla milk creamer, hints of earthy tomato paste and tomato leaf, topped off with a black pepper-anise-tobacco-well worn leather tannic finish. Surprisingly good acidity to complement the chewy, leathery tannins which contribute to the strong, substantial mouthfeel. Buzzzzoff's note sums this up well. Well met at $38 JJB, Overall Eval A (94).
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1/1/2017 - BarrySW19 wrote: 94 Points
Still plenty of cherry and raspberry, with bags of oak flavour (coconut and vanilla), especially in the finish. Quite a strong balance of sweet and sour. - nice complexity and structure. One of the best wines out there.
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12/29/2016 - BillyT wrote: 91 Points
Probably should rate a point higher but waiting to see with the next bottle. These two bottles were very consistent Rioja that was a very pure expression of the terroir and method of wine making. The major take away was that these were not over the top with oak but well balanced between dark fruit, oak, acidity. Smooth velvety mouth feel with a rich mid-palate of dark red fruit and a nice lingering finish. Well integrated tannins yet plenty of life remains. I would open at least one hour before serving but don't necessarily believe it needs decanting.
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12/28/2016 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
Drank over three days. A robust, forward, and approachable style for high quality Rioja, reminiscent of the 2006 Muga Prado Enea. Loud bouquet of purple fruits, loam, lumber, and the oxidative elements for which Rioja is known. Dense, even chewy on the palate, showing more concentration and power than precision and finesse at this point. In particular, not as piercing as the 2001 vintage when tasted in October 2014. Certainly a wine of substance, yet unresolved. The most enigmatic aspect to this wine is the acid level, which seemed low by Gran Reserva standards. This may be because the wine's substantive yet open style wears the acid well...but a lingering question remains. The wine also shows best served at 60 to 62 degrees.
A bold and young offering that should be cellared for three to five years and by that time should provide a better indication of its long-term aging potential. If scoring for right now, 93 points, with an upside.
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12/28/2016 - PacoHigon Likes this wine:
Catado a ciegas con un buen Borgoña y un buen Burdeos su relación calidad precios es abrumadoramente superior. De color granate con ribete abierto. La nariz tiene volumen y muy buena definición con recuerdos a mina de lápiz, sándalo, fruta roja, pimienta negra... En boca tiene buen ataque, algo maderoso aún, tanino presente, textura terrosa, paso cremoso, buena acidez, estructura media y notable longitud. Tostados en el retronasal. Muy bueno.
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12/24/2016 - jim dixon wrote: 94 Points
Holy cow this is drinking wonderfully right now, and it just came off the Fedex truck. cinnamon, nutmeg, porcini, rasberry, orange, smoke, LOVELY.
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12/24/2016 - peterbrussel Likes this wine: 85 Points
Lighter than I would have expected, but still medium bodied, well balanced.
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12/22/2016 - Peter Kleban Likes this wine:
***
Medium body. Classic rioja flavor. I liked this a lot, but it was a bit too acid. Bottle variation? Otherwise good balance and length. Have two more and will report back.
2/4/19:
N: Lovely Rioja aroma
P: Not overly acid at all, perfectly balanced. Light, deep but delicate and very very long. Just superb! Pnp, took only a few minutes to open. One stellar bottle. However, I wonder how much bottle variation there is here. IIRC Rioja Alta is not so careful, if that's right it's a bit of a crap shoot. But when you hit a good one, look out!
Drunk over three days, kept in fridge with a Repour stopper. Some slight decline on the third day.
11/20/21:
2nd and last bottle. Drinks well, but no cigar this time. Guess I was right about bottle variation!
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12/17/2016 - winepaw Likes this wine: 91 Points
Wll balanced, elegant, mature Rioja, drinking very well now. Lighter body and less bold than the 2005 Muga Prado Enea G.R.
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12/16/2016 - pcwoz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fantastic classic rioja. Vanilla, cherry, tea, some earthy notes: aging nicely
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12/15/2016 - AndreRibeiroChaves Likes this wine: 91 Points
The Rioja Alta is a very traditional Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. It has had time to age and it's perfect for consumption right now. Medium body with smooth tannins, acidity still present but not aggressive, light finish, great Aroma. It represents outstanding value when compared to some other Rioja wines.
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12/14/2016 - jollyroger.vin Likes this wine: 96 Points
Old world, spontaneous malo funk. Bright ruby, pine needles and cherry liqueur. Concentrated red fruits and dried plum mingle with camphor, smoky hung meat and lip smacking tannins. Balanced like a custom made fidget toy spinner. Buy more now, drink or hold.
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12/14/2016 - bajayngo wrote:
Had not had this producer and was very impressed. Nose of dill pickles and buttery notes in the best way followed by cherry fruit, dust, fresh tilled earth, spices, tea and great acids.
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12/9/2016 - DK Amateur wrote:
Memory is a bit dim here, but it seemed to show more dark fruit and concentration than I remember the 2001 to have. Certainly a lovely wine.
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12/2/2016 - amwynn wrote: 88 Points
After a two-hour decant, this wine had an excellent and enticing nose but, while extremely smooth, lacked vibrancy beyond the middle of each sip. The wine fizzed into a muddle of excess alcohol and did not offer any of the desired secondary or tertiary notes beyond the very pleasing initial sensations. Quite a disappointment.
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11/30/2016 - nywine68 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very enjoyable. Smokey nose with tar and tobacco. Saturated black fruit with a beautiful tannic spine balanced by lovely acidity. The finish goes on and on. Hard to put this down.
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11/29/2016 - jrh82 wrote: 96 Points
Wonderful Rioja. Ruby red colour. Starting to show its age as colour fading on the rim. Fairly light-bodied (like the '01 although maybe just a tad more density). On the nose ripe red fruit / berries. Some spices. Very slight animalistic element, hint of blood but faint and indeed pleasant. Minerality too, with some dark component - tar or licorice. Incredibly balanced wine which shows off something new for each sniff and sip. Refreshing acidity. Very fine tannins. Such great value for money.
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11/27/2016 - brasstab wrote: 93 Points
Gorgeous. Vibrant nose - cherry leather, cinnamon spice, everything nice - and impressive structure that stood up well to an impromptu fabada asturiana with chorizo and blood sausage. Finished dry but with just enough fruit and acid. All that said, I feel like I opened this one too early. Wish I had more. I might just go and get some.
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11/25/2016 - ancherrera Likes this wine: 94 Points
Medium color. Some orangey/brick color around the rim. Medium to stron tannins. Smokiness, meatiness on the pallete. Cherries. Beautiful nose.
Decanted about 2 hours before drinking. Definitely opened it up.
Buy a few to cellar
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11/24/2016 - CHINACAT wrote: 90 Points
Has great potential, but was a bit closed, tannic and oaky tonight. Should be real good in a few years.
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11/22/2016 - davo22 wrote: 92 Points
Well crafted, elegance and complexity. A classic from La Rioja.
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11/18/2016 - barolo300 Likes this wine: 94 Points
En Magnum: Really delicious Rioja. Orange peel, cedar, cloves, cinnamon, leather, smoked meat... but something beguiling about it. Wonderful, drink from now...
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11/17/2016 - Phenol73 Likes this wine: 93 Points
(Decanter FWE 2016) :: Again, the purity and precision of this wine is striking. Very expressive, with the usual clove, orange peel and leather tones. Feminine, fresh and superbly structured.
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11/13/2016 - bigredPA Likes this wine: 93 Points
One of my favorite wines has been, and probably always will be, Rioja Gran Reserva. Just an elegant wine, with aromas bursting from the glass of strawberry, candied cherry, vanilla, bramble, and earth. There's something akin to a tawny port with this wine. Medium bodied, with complexity, and solid structurally so as to allow for further maturing in the cellar.
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11/13/2016 - kenthargis wrote: 92 Points
Such a lovely, traditional Rioja. Medium bodied, red fruits, long finish. Four years in the barrel added interesting notes. Can imagine drinking this again in 10 years.
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11/12/2016 - heidoanddave wrote: 95 Points
Beautiful refined and complex. Will only improve with age.
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11/6/2016 - bigop Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep and dark purple.
Tight, still a baby. Vanilla from the oak is very much in the forefront, still beautiful fruits on the nose and on the palate. This will improve over the next 10 years I bet. Hold.
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11/4/2016 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 93 Points
A classical Rioja, cherry, vanilla, elegant and fruity, refreshing acidity with ripe tannins, alcohol well balanced, the finish could be more complex to be a real great Rioja. Maybe too young,great vintage (50+5+13+17+8)
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10/28/2016 - Piotr K wrote: 87 Points
I had big expectations regarding this wine, but it did not deliver. Nose is subtle, strawberry, leather, tobacco. On palate it is acidic, light bodied, with hints of cherries and liquorice. It got 96 points from Wine Advocate, no idea why. Maybe a different bottle will be better, let's hope so.
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10/24/2016 - MicklethePickle Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened yesterday. Lovely red color. Excellent legs. Just barely beginning to show lightning at the rim, it clearly has many years to go. The nose is a knockout. Brambly, softly fruity, shows just beautiful oak overtones, with baking spices. Very generous and expressive. Really special in the mouth as well. Excellent fruit, nuanced with pretty vanilla notes. Extremely long and excellent aftertaste. At 40 bucks, this is a wine to buy for drinking now and for many years into the future. Quite a great one. 5-13-18-9: 95/100.
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10/22/2016 - VDLT Wine Does not like this wine:
Seemed in an awkward phase. Still a wall of tannins.
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10/22/2016 - greidy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Red with orange hue and light rim, on the nose - red fruits, earth, leaves, spices, palate is very balanced, smooth and tasty, everything in place, medium body, long finish. And most probably has long life ahead...
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10/21/2016 - Phenol73 Likes this wine: 92 Points
(BBR Spain Tasting) :: Crimson. Bright, pure. A beautiful and feminine nose, showing clean notes of clove, red cherry, leather. This follows through to the palate, which is vivid, fresh and expressive.
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10/20/2016 - MNig Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dinner at a friend’s place. Wines were tasted blind. Ultra classy and sophisticated Rioja Gran Reserva. Delicate and elegant. Aromas of prunes, lush black cherries, wild berries, leather, tobacco, earthy notes and fallen leaves are paired with decidedly more distinctive notes of clove, cinnamon and coconuts. Excellent structure, velvety and ripe tannins, and with lively acid. Long-lingering aftertaste. Fantastic vintage, with no temperature extremes and the right contrast between day and night temperatures throughout the season. Approachable now, but the best will continue for at least another 15 years and more. This wine has lots of time left to be savored. A textbook case of a classy Rioja tinto. 94+
Blindverkostung. Ultraklassischer Rioja Gran Reserva und äußerst fein. Backpflaume, satte Kirschfrucht, Waldbeeren, Leder, Tabak, Erde, Laub, deutlich Gewürznelke, Zimt und Kokusnuss. Wahnsinnsstruktur, samtige, reife Tannine, frische Säure und mit sehr langem Nachhall. Wirkt dem Jahrgang entsprechend auch noch jung. Textbook case eines Rioja. Der hat’s auch nicht wirklich sehr eilig. 94+
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10/19/2016 - John Tang Likes this wine: 90 Points
Not as complex as I expect, though nice drinking with ribs.
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10/14/2016 - redz wrote: 91 Points
Very nice, a little heavy on the american oak perhaps. Moderate tannins, will continue to evolve
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10/14/2016 - Wineguy76 wrote: 93 Points
The 2005 Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is a truly impressive blend of predominantly Tempranillo and smaller traces of Graciano. It has a dense crimson core and enticing aromas of burnt tar, cassis and wild game. Medium to full bodied and deliciously delicate it gently envelops the palate with well rounded, silky tannins and leaves an irresistible, long lasting velvety finish. This is a textbook expression of Rioja in the early stages of maturity and with a long life ahead. To be enjoyed over the next two decades.
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10/10/2016 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Tasted next to their 2004 Gran Reserva 890. On the nose dark, ripe fruit, vanilla, smoke, spices, earth. Soft and quite sweet on the palate. Powdery tannins, good acidity. Very round and harmonious. Persistent finish. Drink or keep. 91-93
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10/10/2016 - iobtoel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely, seductive nose. Tobacco, chocolate, cherries on the palate. Well defined, fine grained tannins. A little hollow initially but this resolved as it opened up.
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10/9/2016 - Steelestack Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very balanced Rioja, drinking beautifully right now. Hot at first, a one hour decant brought out earth, leather and dark fruit. Continued to open up and soften over next two hours. BOTN
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10/8/2016 - GLum Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine is medium bodied, ruby colored wine. After opening, it took at least an hour for it to come around. There are notes of old leather, blue berries and wet earth. There are also hints of cinnamon spice and licorice. This wine is a classic example of the old traditional Rioja style Tempranillo. This paired very well with roasted rack of lamb.
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10/5/2016 - MemorialWineFan wrote: 88 Points
Very good, but I liked the 2004 better. Great blend that was super smooth. Hoping for more funk or a bite to it. Maybe with more age.
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10/2/2016 - Wuhan Joe Likes this wine: 89 Points
Cedar, pepper, licorice and herbs with a little dark fruit. Slightly closed? Fine tannins and very clean slightly salty finish. Easy to drink.
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9/26/2016 - Soteriologist wrote: 90 Points
Apologies in advance for my dilettantic verbosity, but I can’t seem to find the knack of encoding the information into 2 lines. It's more or less a condensed script to this little video I just uploaded (click !).
Summary:
I find myself resonating with the remark on a somewhat greenish imbalance by NickBurwood below, dated June 23rd, 2016, except I would add mention of a touch of oxidized and/or alcoholic imbalance at the back end. This drawback subtracts a bit off an otherwise fairly high level though (the nose alone is certainly a 92 at least), so I wouldn’t go as far down as he does and stop at 90 – surely with potential upwards and far from claiming that the emperor has no clothes. Still, I won’t buy again and will be content with my 3 bottles of the 2004. My interest now turns to the Viña Tondonia.
Day 1:
I have no idea why I seem to find something like cooked and sugarless compote of unripe strawberry, even some plum, in there where everybody else (except henrygjeffreys maybe) finds “cherry”. I assume that’s because…
It meets me rather fruit acidic on the palate, and on the nose in a slowly arising cloud of subtle leather, mushroom, even truffle, dead autumn leaves on wet ground (after roughly t = 1 hour decanting in the broad Schott Zwiesel Burgunder chalice) and even a nice nicotine note (t = 4 hours), resulting in an illusion or totality of a rather coniferously embedded cassis-like dry fruit.
… the sourness of which seems to forbid the association with strawberry and might lead to embarrassment and hence “cherry” offers itself as the escape door to safer grounds on which all the trembling puzzled meet by default. How I would want to blend in with the choir ! Alone, my conscience denies, because verily, I have smelled at cherries over and over to prove myself wrong, yet the fact remains that cherries apparently don’t smell in my vicinity. At all !
All of these notes are measured and subtle, calm and brooding, nothing overbearing and loud. I guess you would have to call that elegant or better yet aristocratic. Except there is a tiny alcoholic imbalance which I wouldn’t have expected in a wine of that price point and with no more than 13.5% (yes, 13.5%, don’t trust the online data !).
I also can’t agree that it be very tannic because the acidity seems very much more like fruity sourness rather than astringent, mouth drying tannins. Can almost hear Harley1199 typing that “it needs a lot of time for the acidity to soften”.
Day 2:
The main change is basically that the nose has come together more beautifully and the mushroomy and earthy notes are now conspiring to give an overall rusty impression.
I skipped days 3 and 4, left the rest (a little more than a third) in the bottle using only a natural cork, not a vacuum stopper, to finish it on...
Day 5:
... which is today. But the slightly oxidized and alcoholic note didn’t somehow integrate into something else while the nice nose has flattened off a bit, so I doubt that this aspect will improve much through further long bottle aging.
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9/24/2016 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 93 Points
N: Vanilla, raspberry, plum, very intense.
P: Medium to med plus tannin, medium acid, great balance, plum, spice, goji berry on the back end
F: long finish, grape fruit roll up, a little woody
I really enjoy these wines, LRA gets it done, very good QpR.
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9/23/2016 - henrygjeffreys Likes this wine:
some brick colour
TObacco and coconut on the nose, some strawberries - classic nose
Firm acidity, strawberries, melty tannins, so refined
Long with lovely layered finish
Gorgeous
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9/19/2016 - Bandreas wrote:
Dark Carmine red; starting to brick a little at the rim. Sweet berry fruit, a touch of leather and dust on the nose;
on the palate dry with substantial tannins present which start to integrate plus a touch of sweetness...
An international style of wine but not as much as I had feared reading the review of the 12 Glotones.
Certainly not the typical Rioja of old, more reminiscent of a full bodied Chateauneuf-du-Pape; but I have had worse, for instance the more recent vintages of Muga..
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9/18/2016 - scvrusher Likes this wine: 89 Points
Red berries on the nose with a hint of barnyard. Medium body. Smooth mouthfeel with a slight spicy kick at the back of the throat. Medium tannins and acidity. I enjoyed this.
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9/18/2016 - BornToRhone Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP and followed couple hours; red and black cherry and spice, bigger fruit than the Tondonia, nice wine and recommended; drink or hold.
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9/16/2016 - jww Likes this wine: 90 Points
big fruit not complex but Fun to drink!
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9/15/2016 - rmalloy wrote: 92 Points
Tasted blind. Very herbal, savory nose. Not many wines are this herbal. Some licorice. Tart red berry fruit, balsamic in character. Not a ripe wine at all. Maybe from a difficult vintage. Tannins are modest but they do assert themselves. Sneaky tannins.
I would narrow this either to a sangiovese-based wine or to Rioja. But Rioja isn't typically this herbal. This is Italian in spirit. There is also a "brownness" to the aroma, and I always remember Jancis Robinson linking sangiovese to brownness. But the acidity of this wine reminds me so much of Rioja.
But I've said that before when tasting non-blind. And I just don't remember any Rioja having this much licorice or this much herbs. So I say: Italy, Sangiovese. Traditional in style, not heavily extracted, not too ripe.
Rating: 92
One more thing I'll say before removing my blinders. This wine opened up considerably after a short decant.
P.s.: damn. It's clearly Rioja!
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9/14/2016 - Cathair Chaladinn Likes this wine: 94 Points
The 2005 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is an outstanding success I have tasted this wine on numerous occasions this year and it has delivered immense pleasure on every occasion. Superb aromatics, a gorgeous texture that seduces you with every sip. The quality to price ratio is for me unsurpassed. Bravo this is what great wine is all about. Stunning food wine especially with game. La Rioja Alta are at the top of their game.
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9/2/2016 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 96 Points
Consistent with prior bottle. Bright crimson in color, this wine (90% Tempranillo/10% Graciano) reveals intense and focused aromas of camphor, saddle leather, vanilla bean and dried herbs on the nose. The mouth feel brought smoky elements, more dried herbs and a gamy, meaty feel. The finish was 45+ seconds of succulent dried red fruits, leather and perfect levels of acidity.
Purchased for $45US, this wine blew me away tonight. Served pnp, it continued to get better throughout the 90 minutes it was open during dinner. Wow, this is an absolutely delicious bottling.
Imported by Skurnik Wines, New York, NY.
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8/30/2016 - rossi.wine wrote: 93 Points
No formal notes - over dinner. Again very good; round, complex well balanced with ripe tannins and good fruit. Layered on the palate showing very good length. Drink or keep. 92-94
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8/28/2016 - Papies wrote: 89 Points
Three consistent bottles here.
A bit of a mass market product and at this young age the American oak is a bit too much for the wine. Well round almost drowned at times in it, still with firm core of fruit and decent structure. Last time we tried it ( Papies 90) we found a bit the tannin to be dry in the finish but it did not feel at all like that this time.88-89
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8/27/2016 - Trorer Does not like this wine:
old
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8/27/2016 - 2009emerson wrote: 92 Points
Great Rioja, brick colored with aromas of cherries and spice. Good oak integration, decant and give it air and it will sing.
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8/18/2016 - BuzzzzOff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Vibrant cherry reddish on the eye. Bouquet of toasted vanilla cream, nutty and espresso. Palate of sweet cherries, subtle tannings, vanilla-nuts. Exceedingly pleasant, fairly complex finish. We see a lot of life left in this drop (barely legal), and we are happy to have more than a few bottles with which to dance during that time.
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8/15/2016 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasty. Could use more age.
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8/12/2016 - MichaelMA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice bottle of Rioja. Deep and luscious with terrific dark fruit. Drinking very full and quit big.
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8/5/2016 - Ianthemac Likes this wine: 92 Points
Love this wine. Not a powerhouse of a Rioja, but instead very elegant and refined. A joy.
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7/31/2016 - 32lakeviewwine wrote:
Exceptional
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7/18/2016 - kimbo9591 Likes this wine:
Excellent can only improve, celebration wine
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7/18/2016 - astroman wrote:
Opened just 15 mins before serving. Funky initially, slight cassis forest floor, earthy dense with a Long finish.
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7/17/2016 - iamandyc wrote:
NR - consistently disappointing over two days. Maybe just too young for my tastes. Cherry fruit spoiled by unbalanced tannin and acid marring the finish.
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7/9/2016 - mfeibert Likes this wine: 90 Points
Popcorn galore on the nose. Looks like a California Cabernet. Tasting notes of smooth dark fruit.
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7/9/2016 - wineamateur wrote: 95 Points
Spanish Mixed Bag, Summer of 2016; 7/2/2016-7/15/2016: Magnificent young Rioja. Lots of berry and stone fruit, perhaps surprisingly so for a Gran Reserva. Sophisticated. Had me thinking of a fine, mature Pomerol.
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6/23/2016 - NickBurwood wrote: 88 Points
Glyndebourne (Meistersinger); Leiths Middle and Over Wallop.
Limited note taking but while perfectly enjoyable I felt that dense cherry and cooked red fruit flavour was covered in veneer of of rather green OTT taught acidity that was out of balance. Whether this was lack of breathing, immaturity or the wine was hard to tell.
Disappointing compared with other vintages of this wine based on this bottle although by no means unpleasant.
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6/23/2016 - djarcara Likes this wine: 90 Points
Full body. Fragrant nose. Dark fruit, cassis, linzer tart, cedar, and dark cherry with a touch of vanilla. Sweet, soft tannins, but a nice medium acidity. Not sure this is a long haul wine, but a few more years should continue to extract secondary flavors. Regardless, very drinkable now. Excellent value.
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6/12/2016 - Papies wrote: 90 Points
A very good all rounder ready now but with quite a few more years to age and develop.
Nice balance, good rich fruit, good oak, american of course, nice length and still very much on the fruit. Only bad feel from it was that the tannin felt a bit dry on the finish. 90-91
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6/5/2016 - SonnyChiba wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyed this one quite a bit, but wouldn't go as high on the score as others. Complex fruit on the nose and palate, cherry liqueur, backed by some other early mature notes, leather, minerals. Fresh and good depth. A tremendous value for the quality. No rush to drink, but will likely drink remaining bottles over the next few years. Wishful thinking probably, but perhaps it will drink as nicely as the 2001 someday!
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6/4/2016 - jps3@columbia.edu Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Not a fan. Wonderful nose, bitter taste, heavy tannins.
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5/29/2016 - Slaz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Appears to be few years behind the 2004 of the same wine. Even after several hours of decanting, tasted vigorously acidic and overly energetic with notable tannins. Classical notes of LRA rioja on the palate. Should be really good in a few years.
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5/29/2016 - Champagneinhand wrote: 94 Points
Really great PnP. SIL grabbed dill right out but really showed how well a great Rioja can be with age an American oak. Wish I had more than 2 bottles
Left.
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5/24/2016 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 95 Points
Shiny, dark ruby red turning crimson rust at the rim with a transparent edge. The nose gives off red cherry skins, tobacco, old saddle leather, cured meat, and smoke. It is dry, vibrant and intense whilst maintaining a silky, elegant mouth feel on the palate. Flavors of red cherry, licorice, scorched earth, espresso, and tar are ensconced by fleshy tannin that leads to a long, bracing finish with hints of toasted oak. This is quite feisty for a La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva - perhaps reflective of the vintage. One of the best I've tasted from this producer. This trails the 2001 and may even be better than the 2004 in the long run. Drink now with a 30-minute decant until 2025. 95+
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5/22/2016 - SilverFox65 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Ruby in colour turning garnet where it meets the glass, suggesting that aged complexity may be lurking. An incredibly perfumed nose of cherry liqueru, strawberry, herbs, spices and smoky barbecued meat says that this wine should be special. Only medium bodied, but the concentration of flavours is incredible: punchy dark cherries; ripe juicy strawberries; bitter dark chocolate; mint; herbs; earthy frost floor; and, juicy game still oozing blood. It is all there in abundance, not fighting against each other but rather working together in perfect harmony, joined by a mineral infused almost saline chorus. There is sufficient acidity to give a lovely refreshing zest and a strong frame of ultra fine sweet tannins gives structure from inception to the long finish. This is a classical, well balanced, medium bodied Rioja that shows what the region has to offer. Truly superb and at the price, a complete barging. Buy, drink, enjoy!
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5/20/2016 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted. Modern, but oak is reasonably well integrated now. Possible upscore in 5-10 years. 13.5%
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5/17/2016 - swigna Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fantastic. Not as finished as the 2001. still acidic but lovely.
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5/16/2016 - jww Likes this wine: 92 Points
big fruity nose
full bodied, coffee, leather flavor all in overwhelming and luscious fruit bomb. great wine fun to drink
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5/15/2016 - Umay Ceviker wrote: 94 Points
Garnet in colour with an evolved nose featuring leather, tea and blood under a frame of smoke and flinty stone. Rich and layered with additional aromas of bitter almond and mushroom on the palate. Silken and persistent and very elegant overall.
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5/15/2016 - PSPatrick wrote: 92 Points
We decanted the wine for one hour and consumed it over a period of another two hours. It was medium ruby in the center and turned garnet towards the edges, and offered a great nose of red cherry, strawberry, chocolate, espresso, spices, cinnamon, herbs and autumn leaves. On the palate the wine showed cherry, strawberry, chocolate, coffee, herbs, spices, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, tobacco and black tea, with medium to medium-plus acidity, smooth, well-integrated tannin and superb length. This traditional-style, medium-bodied Rioja was very balanced and drank very well. Superb! Very good value.
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5/15/2016 - Sotto325 wrote: 92 Points
Another delightful LRA experience which may justify a higher score in short order. The 2005 opened with a surfeit of dried leather, supple, rough velvety purple/ dark red smoke and cherry, but then, even after 45,minutes in the decanter, devolved into a more tannic, closed bottle. So time is clearly needed. My experience with the wonderful 2004 was that it took 6 months for the elements to emerge n a unified fashion. Given that 2004 was a great vintage, the 2005 may emerge more quickly. One of the very knowledgable CT reviewers noted the " new world" nature of the usually far superior 890; the 904 does not show that despite a hint of sweet fruit at the outset.
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5/13/2016 - tedandmarie wrote:
This will is Gran Reservation 904
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5/12/2016 - Lype Likes this wine: 91 Points
Sour cherries, leather, savoury, oak and vanilla, the latter two not to an overpowering extent luckily, all the features of a good 904. Quite approachable but I would give this more time.
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5/5/2016 - michigan66 Likes this wine: 93 Points
this wine is definately one of my favourites.
intense in color and a great deep aroma with lots of vanilla, berries and length.
the finish was famous with just right level of acidity.
had some left over the next day and this wine even could hold up for next day.
will get more for my cellar.
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5/3/2016 - randyjc wrote: 92 Points
A striking wine - smoke and tar and vivid red fruit on the nose. Lush mouth feel - exceptionally smooth. Assertive flavors with sweetness on the finish - whether from tannins or from the wine itself I don't know. Lengthy finish. The wine is a bit of a contradiction - Old World on the nose and New World, in part, in the mouth. Whatever you call it, the wine is striking and an experience in and of itself. It stands out - for good or ill. To me - 90% good.
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4/19/2016 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 93 Points
92-93 pts; lots of American oak, vanilla, raspberry, and plum
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4/15/2016 - jviz wrote: 91 Points
I think the amount of variability in these reviews comes from stylistic preference. This is an old world style to be sure, but the nose is vibrant, the presence of oak is graceful, and it brings ample blackberry fruit with leathery notes. There is plenty of acidity and fine tannins lending a very nice texture to the wine. No surprises, and a very good bang for your buck in Rioja
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4/9/2016 - cuffthis Likes this wine: 96 Points
Even better than the stunning 2004. Wow.
Bright crimson in color, this wine (90% Tempranillo/10% Graciano) reveals intense and focused aromas of camphor, saddle leather, vanilla bean and dried herbs on the nose. The mouth feel brought smoky elements, more dried herbs and a gamy, meaty feel. The finish was 45+ seconds of succulent dried red fruits, leather and perfect levels of acidity.
Purchased for $45US, this wine blew me away tonight. Decanted for 30 minutes, it continued to get better throughout the 60 minutes it was open during dinner. Wow, this is an absolutely delicious bottling.
Imported by Skurnik Wines, New York, NY.
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4/4/2016 - Inlytes wrote: 92 Points
Better than expected. Still vibrant. We drank after Shafer Hillside Select, 2005. Loved the Schaffer, but this Spanish wine was a worthy follow up. Drink with confidence
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4/1/2016 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 91 Points
Epic wines on a Friday Night (Home (Noe st)): Absolutely textbook Rioja. Complex and so elegant. Coconut/Dill oak. Well balanced. Medium structure all over. Opened after an hour into broad and intense blackcurrant!
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3/27/2016 - PMJak11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wow! Very unique, but excellent wine! Strong hints of coconut and tar, with just enough blackberry fruit to make this extremely enjoyable. Velvet on the palate, but fairly short finish. Give this a try, promise it will be a unique experience. Decanted for 1+ hours.
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3/26/2016 - wayfarer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Served with grilled lamb, greens. Decanted 1 hour. Overall concur with recent notes. Blackberry, earth, red fruit, hints of tar and coconut. Lovely nose, at first, while compelling, slightly muted but then getting richer. Good acid balance. Quite delicious and interesting, though I think it was a bit tight and reserved. I suggest longer decant +/or more bottle time, as it certainly has the makings of longer life.
Too I'd note that I had originally tasted the wine at a local store, and found more floral quality on the rich base.
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3/26/2016 - klezman wrote:
Yum. It may be a new release, but this is singing. Excellent match with dry aged rib steak, and a nose full of berries with leaves and earth. Not as oaky to my palate as others have said, although there is some vanilla and butterscotch on the palate. Delicious, well integrated, and should be a long lived wine.
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3/25/2016 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Tasting pour at a Spanish wine tasting.
Great nose of tar, licorice and wet gravel. This was all about dark fruit, multi-layered with blueberry, black raspberry , cherry, ripe fig and a touch of black pepper at the end. Went back and had a second taste from a bottle opened hours earlier and it was even better. Good to go for years but fun and tasty to drink now!
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3/23/2016 - Merky_Waters Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted at Country Vintner Mid Atlantic Spring Tasting.
Mature and really nice, but i think the Ardanza 2007 Reserva is just as complex for $12 less wholesale.
Lighter than expected. the American oak influence is big but well integrated. Fruit is approaching brown with lots of raisin and fig jam. Pleasantly ripe. My memory of this isn't super clear unfortunately.
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3/19/2016 - djdaqm Likes this wine: 91 Points
Don's 48th (Home): Decanted and aerated for about 2 hours. Tons of waxy oak on first smelling this wine. This gave way to a fairly well balanced wine on the palate with good acidity, mild woodiness, and cherry flavors.
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3/16/2016 - Los 12 Glotones Does not like this wine: 82 Points
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Els12golafres Wine Tasting Group: http://vinosclasicos.blogspot.com.es/2016/03/la-rioja-alta-904-gran-reserva-2005.html
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De color rojizo intenso de capa media-alta, muy extraido, oscuro, tapado. Reflejos granadinos, refulgente. Limpio, sin asomo de precipitados. Borde estrecho, marcado respecto al exterior del menisco.
Apagado en nariz, austero, sin la habitual expresión de crianza tradicional que caracteriza a este vino en sus primeros años de vida. Frutos negros macerados, cuero, barrica sin integrar, humo, regaliz negro, especias... Sin orden alguno, sin personalidad.
En boca es brusco y concentrado, tostado, ampuloso, redundante, con mucha estructura. Difícil de beber, cansino, sin apenas frescor y sin un atisbo de alma propia. Esto es lo que le hacen a los elefantes en la India. Se merece los 96 puntos Parker!!! "A great classic... At this quality level this is a bargain". Fina ironía Luis Gutiérrez!!!
Hay un evidente cambio de estilo por parte de la bodega. Un vino "sospechosamente" moderno que naufraga en la centenaria historia de la bodega. No es esto lo que uno busca en un 904, por lo que se está dispuesto a pagar 30 euros. Si la bodega busca cosechar grandes puntuaciones para acercarse a nuevo público y llenar la caja pues nada sería mejor que crear una nueva marca y dotarla de contenido. No se puede vivir de rentas. La palabra que mejor resumen este vino es decepción.
Wine Info - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
90% tempranillo, 10% graciano. 13.5% vol.
- La tempranillo proviene de los viñedos propios, con una edad superior a 40 años, ubicados en subzona de la Rioja Alta, principalmente de los municipios de Briñas, Labastida y Villalba. El resto de la uva es originaria de las fincas Melchorón I y II de Briones y Rodezno. La fermentación alcohólica se desarrolló en 12 días, descubándose cinco días después. La fermentación maloláctica se desarrolló en depósitos de acero inoxidable a lo largo de 15 días, seguido de una selección de lotes que completo la maloláctica tras 38 días. En marzo de 2.006 los vinos pasaron a criarse en barricas de roble americano de 225 litros de fabricación propia, con una media de edad de 4 años. Sometido a trasiegos manuales de forma periódica cada 6 meses por el método tradicional de barrica a barrica, a la luz de la vela. Transvasado a depósitos para ser embotellado en noviembre de 2.010. Un mínimo de 5 años de guarda en botellero en los calados de la bodega antes de ser comercializado, en noviembre de 2015.
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3/15/2016 - jww Likes this wine: 92 Points
just arrived, huge fruity nose powerful taste big and oaky with fruit and spices like Californian Cab but a touch of spice
really fun to drink. Ater 3 hours it still had a big fruit taste like it had just been opened
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3/9/2016 - fc1910 wrote: 88 Points
A week at Bilbao and en la RIoja: Privat tasting at the bodega, again a change of style here, fresh red berry nose, needs some airation, on the palate fine melting, but again very concentrated body, at the moment moderated by the acidity, cherry tones, tobacco, balanced wine, long+ aftertaste, but again....., how will this wine age? no tengo idea! *(**-?)86- 89+- ?
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3/5/2016 - bkmt wrote: 90 Points
Good Wine but I think you can get as good or better representation of Rioja for $20-$30 (this was $50). Day one was a bit austere, though not overly. Approachable, floral and leather aromas with some dried cherry and raisin notes on the nose. What seemed strange to me was that the second day, more of the barrel was evident with vanilla essence, spice notes and the fruit, definitely rounder, very strong attack and mid palate.
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3/4/2016 - asowerby30@gmail.com Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wonderful fragrant, round, smooth and integrated wine. Light to drink, but with depth and great structure.
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3/2/2016 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 92 Points
Big American oak influence, loads of sweet vanilla, raspberry, silky smooth
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2/28/2016 - macaujames wrote: 91 Points
This was closed and not as impressive as the Ardanza 2007. It had smokey aromas of strawberries, leather, spice, red cherries and tea leaves. Its medium bodied textured and silky yet unknit palate is more reticent and austere, with highish acidity and oak. Has a very long finish. Will be superb in five or so years. Needs 3-4 hr decant.
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2/27/2016 - dissler Likes this wine: 90 Points
Beautyful typical rioja nose, earthy and smokey. palate nice too, elegant though a tad too light for my taste. Well constructed. Conclusion: an authentic, typical but lighter rioja. Bit pricey for that matter.
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2/24/2016 - yesillhaveanotherglassplease wrote: 84 Points
A heavily-oaked wine with a slightly buttery nose. Mouth of fresh cherries, a touch earthy, and with an acidity that briefly outlasts the mild tannins. The wine is fine, but does not express the variety in any noticeable sense. One should be able to expect more from a wine in this price range.
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2/21/2016 - zetto Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really nice, classy, dark berries, full ripe fruit. Lots of oak and vanilla. A hint of tea and orange rind. Herbs and a bit of a bell pepper note. Tannins were there, but pretty mellow and do not get in the way. All in all, if you are OK with oak, this is very enjoyable right now.
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2/21/2016 - Purple Tooth wrote: 91 Points
This is a nice wine, but the oak is way over the top. It is fully ripe, mature and sweet, with enough acid to bridge the mid palate to the finish until the dryness from the remaining tannins finally overcome the oak. Drink this alone or with other oaky Riojas or it might overwhelm the other wines or become outclassed. Drink or Hold
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2/1/2016 - T.E.D. wrote: 92 Points
Medium dark garnet color. Rich nose of initial barnyard funk and wet earth, slowly evolving to more traditional Rioja elements of oak, tight small berry, some orange peel, clove, and pen ink. Palate is taught and well balanced, showing youth and age ability. Elements of tea leaf, tart berry, cedar, oak, and a finish of grand marnier. Still a baby and can see this mellowing with age - right now a bit bigger and new world then I would have guessed.
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1/29/2016 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 92 Points
No formal notes taken but I recall this being better than the 2004. It seemed better put together and readier.
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1/24/2016 - dchoo077 wrote: 91 Points
Splash decanted and drank over 2hrs. This wine was what one would expect from a traditional, well made rioja. Medium weight, quite fine, and well composed with a prominent acidic backbone; however, too young at this point with its less than subtle oak influence and vanilla notes. At least 5 more years needed for the wine to integrate better. Probably better off drinking the Vina Ardanza now while waiting for the gran reserva to come around.
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1/24/2016 - nectar14 Likes this wine:
Orange garnet color, showing attractive scents of vanilla, dill, walnut, and dried cherry. Lovely clarity, with smooth texture and detailed flavors of vanilla, red fruit, and dusty earth. Long long finish. Very enjoyable now, but will last a long time. 92-93
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1/16/2016 - andtheodor wrote: flawed
Lightly corked. Still kinda smells like LRA but doesn't have half the guts or intensity of the '01 or '04.
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1/11/2016 - TerroirHunter wrote: 95 Points
If you haven't tried 904s or 890s, get off the phone or computer and buy a bottle. Holy smokes. Orange cooking spices, tart cherry, cumin, fig skins, black olive. A wow wine. Will age for decades.
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1/10/2016 - gtilley wrote: 92 Points
Already impressive - medium weight, food-friendly palate with lots of interest: chocolate, mint, liquorice, plum, cedar flavours/aromas are well knit, nothing out of place; delicate acid backbone refreshes. Feels like it will last a long time.
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1/7/2016 - 4mentor Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark garnet, med body, med acidity, fine tannins. Abundant oak on the nose and palate. Notes of olives, dried red fruit, though they seem a little faded. Long finish with a smooth mouthfeel.
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12/26/2015 - Tannatastic wrote:
Very, very young and tight. It was much better (though still very tight) after 24 hours in the decanter. My advice, for what its worth, is to wait a good few years (5 as mentioned below seems a good rule of thumb) before this starts to relax a little and show itself. The acidic backbone should make this good for a couple of decades at least.
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12/12/2015 - elledeca wrote:
La Rioja Alta GR 904 (Brussels): Too young
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12/12/2015 - PDE3 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Classic, yet intriguing complex Rioja. Dry and sweet while evoking thoughts of rural Spanish life. 2005 is possibly still a little young to drink now, but if so have with red meat/rustic meal
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12/3/2015 - Harley1199 wrote:
3rd LRA Tasting Event of the Q4 (Enoteca Barolo - Madrid): Iodized nose. Notes of nugget coffee, leaf snuff and spices like clove and pepper. The mouth is polishing yet. Slightly astringent. Hopefully age as it deserves.
Nariz yodada. Notas a pepita de café, hoja de tabaco y especias como el clavo y la pimienta. La boca está por pulir. Un poco astringente. Ojalá envejezca como se merece.
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11/14/2015 - Pikemeister123 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Traditional, refined gran reserva rioja. Drank too young.
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11/13/2015 - Bandi Likes this wine:
It is good old fashioned, complex & long Rioja with good acidity, fruit and soft tannins but not the sort of wine that would please those who are brought up on jammy new world shiraz. I gave it 16.5.
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11/7/2015 - rossi.wine wrote: 94 Points
Quite open and complex on the nose - red and dark fruit, dark flowers, vanilla, cloves, wood smoke, black olives, cedar. Very refined on the palate with lots of fruit, still fairly savoury with ripe and polished tannins, good acidity and a peppery note. Really well balanced, very long and fine. Hold. 93-94+
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11/7/2015 - ZotakTheMighty wrote: 96 Points
Initial burst of mint, almonds and black olives. Still grippy, almost astringent mint in the mouth, very fine tannins. Incredible length and complexity. This wine has a real sense of place - transcending the sum of its parts. Upright and powerful and poised, great balance - it will continue to develop. Rioja "as it should be".
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11/5/2015 - WineCuentista wrote: 93 Points
Appearance: Clear wine with a medium ruby colour, fading to a garnet rim.
Nose: Clean nose with a Medium+ intensity. This wine is developing.
How I love the smell of traditional Rioja. A real blend of cooked strawberries and cherries over soft American-oak spice. Leather and tobacco are both significant notes here but it is the subtle sweetness of the caramel that brings this together nicely. Very clean and precise.
Palate:
Dry
Medium acidity
Medium tannins
Medium+ alcohol
Medium+ intensity
Medium body
Long finish
Smooth and savoury on the palate, medium bodied and well balanced. The red fruit is still juicy despite the age and well complimented with leather, tobacco and subtle sweet spices. Incredibly smooth tannins and a refreshing but not significant acidity. The finish is long and elegant - the mark of a truly high quality wine.
Outstanding quality Tempranillo blend from Rioja. Can be drank now but has the structure for another 5-20 years of ageing if so desired; perhaps even more? At 35 euros a bottle, this is outstanding QPR. I think I prefer this over the 2004!
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10/17/2015 - Phenol73 Likes this wine: 91 Points
(Berry's Rioja and Catalonia Tasting 2015) :: Very floral, rounded, lifted and soft perfume. Wonderfully "clean" and precise. Soft sweet tannins, med/high acidity. Good.
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10/12/2015 - Cofxc Likes this wine:
So young. Paint on the nose. Very viscous, rich on the palette. BBR Tasting.
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10/12/2015 - SimonG wrote:
BBR Rioja & Catalonia (One Great George Street, London): Denser and fuller than the Ardanza. Lots more to this — a clear step up. Dark red fruit, nicely bright, smoky, briary fruit. Cream and spice. Long. ****
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10/10/2015 - PSPatrick wrote: 92 Points
We poured the wine into a small decanter and consumed it over a period of four hours. It was medium ruby in the core and turned garnet towards the edges. The wine offered red fruit, strawberry, coffee, chocolate, spices, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, tobacco and autumn leaves on the complex and expressive nose. On the palate the balanced, medium-bodied wine showed meaty notes, red fruit, creamy cherry, milk chocolate, espresso, spices, chili, cinnamon, vanilla, tobacco, mushroom and black tea, with medium spiciness, high acidity, medium to medium-plus tannin, a good, creamy mouthfeel and incredible length. The aftertaste lingered for quite a while. A classic Rioja with the typical, generous dose of well-handled American oak. Very youthful, with a long life a head. A superb, traditional-style Rioja. Loved it!
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10/10/2015 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk Parker's Matter of Taste at the Moore Bldg. Like the 2001 and 2004 better.
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10/8/2015 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
La Rioja Alta 125 Harvest Celebration (Hotel Wellington - Madrid): Lovely performance this time representing what a real 904 is.
Intensely perfumed nose of red and black fruits melted with chocolate. A meaty note too.
On the palate it is going to be very classy, balanced GR, suave and acid. A gem ready to be polished by time.
Luis Gutierrez considered it the best wine of the evening. I agree.
Excelente rendimiento esta vez, representando lo que de verdad es un 904. Intensamente perfumada en nariz con frutos rojos y negros que se fundieron con el chocolate. También una nota de carne.
En boca va a ser muy elegante, un GR equilibrado, suave y ácido. Una gema lista para ser pulida por el tiempo.
Luis Gutiérrez lo consideró como el mejor vino de la noche. Estoy de acuerdo.
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9/23/2015 - Harley1199 wrote:
La Rioja Alta GR Vertical Tasting (plus private dinner at La Piperna) (Lavinia - Madrid): Can you say a heresy that this came not look like a LRA nose? Almost nor a 2005
Rough and slightly tannic in the mouth
Its time will come but now makes me wonder
¿Se puede decir una herejía y que este vino NO parece un LRA en nariz? Casi tampoco un 2005
Áspero y ligeramente tánico en boca
Su hora llegará pero ahora mismo me hace dudar.
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9/13/2015 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 94 Points
The nose was focused and pure with intense cherry fruit, dark wood tones, herbal mint and chalky minerals. On the palate, it was youthfully tight, showing focused red fruits, cedar, spice and saline minerality. The finish was long with concentrated red berry and tannin pulling at the senses. This wine is built for the long haul.
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7/20/2015 - VeronicaXu Likes this wine: 90 Points
Meaty, barbequ, rose, lovely fresh fruit on palate. Medium body, long finish.
Armit tasting.
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