Early Oct 2021: deep dark red color; started with funk in the nose; after decanting for approx. 1 h a fine bouquet of coffee, spices and dark fruits developed; soft and gentle on the palate, well-balanced by a slight adstrigency.
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2/7, vg cork. Deep ruby/garnet core, pale garnet rim. Nose shows dark tempranillo fruit, touch of vanilla, mocha. Cedar too. Medium bodied, pure dark fruit, touch of smoke and cedar, fine tannins, fresh acidity, good length finish. Classy and composed, no hurry here.
Good closure. Colour a definite garnet but vibrant nonetheless. Nose is dark fruit with plenty of oak - not as coconut dominated as some so perhaps a mix of french and American oak? Palate is youthful with a nice blackberry bramble fruit and soft persistent tannins. Nice long soft finish.
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Bright red and mellow black fruits , acidity intact, fine tannins. Will keep for many years yet. Reminded of why I like the Imperial Reserva better than Imperial Gran Reserva; less oak and a fresher, more transparent wine.
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Sandalwood, tart raspberry, red currant, loads of cranberry and subtle rhubarb. Lovely chalky, integrated tannins. Bright and beautiful with lots of flavor without being heavy. Wood fire and smoke at the back end. Really enjoying a long overdue rioja.
1/7, excellent cork. Not decanted, # 292,481. Deep ruby/garnet core, narrow pale ruby rim. The nose is not overly intense, still quite fruit driven with mainly black berried fruit, lightly smoky/leathery. Medium bodied on the palate, black fruit, spice, touch of liquorice, quite ripe with soft tannins but the acidity does protrude a touch (and I generally like acidity), although this becomes less marked over time as it approaches room temperature. Not overly complex but polished and attractive with a decent length finish. Overall, very good indeed with plenty still left in the tank. (Don't serve too cold)
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Mid dark color, no signs of aging. Sweet smell, almost like Austalian Shiraz; pleasant. On palate at first quite round, then come the tannins which throw the wine off balance. I am worried about those: Don't know if they will ever fully integrate. Rather have a suspicion that they will eat up the fruit... On the whole: Not a bad wine, but very monochromatic and I don't think that it merited to be the wine of the year as proclaimed by the Wine Spectator so many years ago... Middling between old and new (international) school. It's as if the makers could not decide about it... On the whole: I would not buy it again.....
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Serious and classy Rioja, fine oak, dense ret fruit and a touch of boot polish. Reserves are for their fruit density rather than lighter oak driven fruit complexity one gets with a Gran Reserva. Excellent but still quite young flavours.
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Deep red colour. Tight nose. Leather and spice in flavour. Quite light in body. Drinking well but getting towards the end of the drinking window perhaps.
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Ruby and bright. Nose of black cherry, dried prune, menthol, baked currants. To taste there’s lots of black cherry and blackcurrant flavour, spices, the menthol aromas are almost overpowering as the wine is swallowed and the menthol drifts into the nose. Good acidity and melded tannins, drinking beautifully.
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Drank over two days and markedly better on day 1. Fruit was more vibrant and lifted. Has developed some secondary aromas, and is maturing nicely. Well balanced and integrated. Likely drinking window another 2 years.
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Surprisingly deep colour; imposing nose, plummy, with an oaky undertow; muscular palate, plenty of flashy fruit, with an assertive backbone; finishes well. Not much finesse. This will age 5 years+ easily.
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Ruby colour. Nose of damson, blackberry and blackcurrant. The palate is plush with primary blackberry and damson fruit, a little sour on the mid palate, almost stalky with drying tannins on the finish. This bottle isn’t as good as previous, a little disappointing to be honest. I have one bottle left, I’ll leave it for a few more years to get those tertiary flavours.
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Ruby and youthful. Nose of chocolate, black cherry, black olives. The palate has a lovely black cherry flavours, medium weight, cedar, vanilla, oak spice, chocolate, fine grain tannins and acidity. Drinking beautifully.
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Dense red colour with a touch of brown on the edge. Liquorice, leather on the nose with some aniseed. Aniseed, dark fruits with long finish. Rounded. Opened over an hour. Plenty of life left in it.
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Drank over two days. Very deep color, just starting to turn on the rim. Mixed red and dark fruits dominate the aromas. Some creamy notes, maybe some tobacco spice. Some toast. But mostly just young ripe fruit, without being jammy. Smooth, elegant palate. Soft attack, plenty of fruit. Tannin comes through late, but doesn't overpower the palate. Spicy, with a touch of warmth. Very long. This is drinking wonderfully right now, but has the stamina to go another couple of years I would think.
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Deep red colour. Coconut, strawberry and musk on the nose. Similar flavours along with some spice. Opened very well over an hour - smoothed out. Long finish. Very good and very enjoyable - drinking well.
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(From a half bottle) Still youthful purple-garnet colour, not especially bright and with just a little bricking at the rim.
A good balance of fruit and savoury on the nose, with darker spicy fruit balancing with soy, leather & coffee
Medium bodied palate showing the same fruit, in a somewhat elegant style, with the savoury elements pushed to the background. Acidity sticks out a fraction when drunk without food, so should be ideal with food. Some complexity on the relatively low key, but quite persistent finish.
Overall very good, but it feels like there is still more to come.
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Absolutely classic Rioja. Fruit, acidity and tannin in perfect harmony before they give way to a long long finish where the oaky vanilla comes through. Not a fashionable view, but it's what I expect and love.
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Deep red, clear colour. Coconut on nose. Red fruits - cherry and strawberry which opened up adding some tar and tobacco. Fresh with bright acid. Opened nicely over an hour or so. Still very youthful. Very enjoyable but has a long life ahead of it.
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Black colour. Blackberry fruit nose with some dustiness. The blackberry fruit follows through on the palate with a nice crunch which comes with a lovely freshness. This is atypical of what I expect from Rioja but enjoyable nonetheless. This has bags of life left in it and will probably benefit from more time in the cellar.
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Still a touch too young methinks. Lots of red fruit, creamy vanilla, cinnamon spice. Ripe tannin, somewhat chunky. Freshness from the acidity. Opened up much more on day 2.
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Good, still young, needed time to open up and breath a little. Still very deep colour, not much sign of age, and still quite primary. 88-89 for now, I've no doubt over the next few years this will improve.
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My last bottle and it finally paid off. This one was in pristine condition. Cork totally intact, wine was right up to about 4 mm below the cork. Outer cork had a funky blue mold on it that I've seen on all the previous bottles but for some reason, this cork held where the others did not. That said, over the range of bottles in the case I bought, I've never seen bottle variation like what I got from these guys. Several of the bottles didn't even seem to taste like Tempranillo. Ranging from complete and utter wretch to near the pinnacle of Rioja splendor. Of 12, there were 8 bad ones with only 4 bottles being ok and of those, only 2 where were they should have been. All were bought in the same case, transported and stored identically. This bottle showed bright and acidic with a powerful nose of pleasant cherry, dill, earth and leather. Same notes in the mouth with a fantastic grip and lengthy finish. If only all my bottles of this vintage could have fared so well. Really makes me wonder if the vendor I bought them from saw some damage with them...
Popped and poured. Youthful ruby red core but some hint on bricking and slightly translucent. Nose of dark chocolate, dried herbs, hints of tobacco too. The palate is quite intense, medium body, good concentration of blackcurrant fruit which gives way to a dried herb, slights savoury finish. Has plenty of life in it. Not a wow wine but excellent nonetheless.
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These two bottles from cellar proved to be in good condition. Sensing they are on a downward arch with age though, at this point. Complexity, acids and tannins are all in a really nice spot but the fruit is fading. Right out of the bottle the fruit was short and sumptuous but totally blew off within a half hour in the glass. A shame really as the concentrated layers of rich cherry vanilla were amazing. When the fruit disappeared there was left just the dry acid tannin notes. Did not decant as I suspected it would only worsen the problem.
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Tried one bottle. Was sorely disappointed when it was totally spent. Dry fruitless elderly dredge. Cork was intact and wine in the bottle was still right up on the cork. Went down and grabbed another...Cork intact and nice fill....upon opening...wet sweaty socks and cardboard. No amount of decanting or venturi was able to revive anything from either. I seriously hope my remaining bottles fair better.
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Had this at dinner after a 04 Lan Rerserva. I liked the Lan Reserva, but this one I loved. Both were very well rounded, but the Imperial more complex. The Lan ready to drink up while I think that this one still has potential to get even better in the bottle. Beautiful.
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There were crystals but no travel on the cork. Needed decanting or filtering. Not much of a bouquet but clean. Nicely rounded on the palate, full of Summer fruits but dark and deep. Medium length and complexity. This is peaking now so drink up.
Tasted on second day - distinctly vegetal now. Not nice.
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Sloxed about 90 minutes prior to sipping. This had a beautiful nose from the get go and never closed down. Drinking quite well already and showing nearly perfect balance. Why spend 2-4 times as much for an overoaked super cuvee modern tempranillo requiring years for the oak to meld, if ever, when you can get this ready to go $38 Rioja with loads of charactor.Not saying this an oakless wine but rather its in its place and not masking the terroir or fruit. I'll buy more of this and keep them for a few years to see where it goes. I find that Reserva is the sweetspot level for classic Tempranillo from Rioja where you get great depth but still youthfully fresh fruit and vigor at a great price. This is example A.
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Slow O'd for 4 hours and drank against 04 Valdemar Gran Reserva and Muga Special Selection. This was number 2 of the night. Barnyard nose. Medium body.
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Rustic dark red fruit, earth, and a touch of kernel on the nose. Palate shows cedar aand herb spice on very fine medium tannin. This has opened up very nicely over the last 6 hours, as it started out rather muted.
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Brighter, fresher, cleaner, without the balsamic note that I often found in older imperials. I like the change, if I'm right about that, but I guess the old way had its charms, too.
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Cedar wild herb thing strongly on the nose. Less fig and dark fruits than the Heredia (which I assume is thier substantial use of oak). Smells great. Cherry, a sour note on the nose, plesantly so. It kinda sends me. But I like this sort of thing.
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RussK WIC w/ PeterC Phil and PF at villagio BB. My WOTN, by a nose. And a great barnyard nose it has. Good balance, poise, and a touch of a sour plum finish.92-
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Delicious wine. Drinking well. Prabably at its peak, but will last. Drunk with a lamb tagine. Improved in decanter for 90 mins. Soft tannins. Vanilla, dark fruits and long and slightly salty on the back palate.
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From a magnum. Not helped by the comparison to a beautiful 1969 Riojanas we had before hand, this had a bit too much of everything: fruit, oak, vanilla. If you have one of these, decant for about 3 hours, or leave it for 5 years. And it needs some big food.
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color: dark and murky, maroon with a pink rim nose: earthy, mushroom notes taste: medium bodied, bright fruits, dry, strawberry, raspberry, integrated tannins, well-balanced, spices on the finish
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Tasted immediately after opening. Dark crimson. Blackberry, earth and spice nose. Plum, cherry and spice flavor. Soft and plush texture. The tannins are well integrated. This is very easy drinking right now. I like it but expected more at this price point.
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Based on recommendations I received and its price point, I expected more from this wine. Recently, I have had a few 2000's and 2001's that are prodigious efforts. Although this bottle was very good, it was not in the company of these other wines from Rioja. As a 2004, it may be that 3 to 4 more years in the bottle will be just what this one needs. It was a little disjointed. The fruit was there, but tightly wound.
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Rioja Legend CVNE with Colin Gent, MW (PJ Wines, NYC): Medium to dark red center offering little lightening on the rim. Brooding, almost hinting at black fruits. Strong tannins, but accessable due to the texture. Some tea and animal notes. Good complexity and length. Refined.
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Nose of strawberries & cream, and vanilla. On the palate, dark red fruits, cherries, light tannins, just a hint of cough linctus and with a pleasant aftertaste initially reminiscent of sweet potpourri, but which then evolves into something darker. Full bodied - great structure. Soft texture. Very good. Perhaps another year or two would bring this out into additional glory. Or some red meat.
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On the nose, slightly powdery and vanilla notes with sweet fruit. On the palate, this is a big step up from the crianza; fairly light-bodied, almost watery in its viscosity, but the flavor is nice; quite sweet, definitely showing its oak still, but overall, a pleasing wine that should continue to evolve. On par with the Vina Alberdi Reserva 03; this is a bit sweeter; I prefer the Alberdi slightly but this could certainly win its share of fans. 90-91
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Purple red, no visible aging color Aroma: strawberries and oak, with a spicy touch Medium body and available tannins. Structured and extreme balance. Soft and nice. Barrel notes and red berries on the palate. Very good length
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5/28/2023 - dougsmith Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep ruby color. Nose of black cherry, cedar, damp earth. Medium bodied and juicy with fine tannins on the finish.
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10/30/2021 - moods wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful soft sweet fruit, sublime mouthfeel. Just amazing right now. A great example of why I should drink more Rioja!
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10/2/2021 - Fatty Cat wrote: 91 Points
Early Oct 2021: deep dark red color; started with funk in the nose; after decanting for approx. 1 h a fine bouquet of coffee, spices and dark fruits developed; soft and gentle on the palate, well-balanced by a slight adstrigency.
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8/5/2021 - Paul D wrote: 90 Points
2/7, vg cork. Deep ruby/garnet core, pale garnet rim. Nose shows dark tempranillo fruit, touch of vanilla, mocha. Cedar too. Medium bodied, pure dark fruit, touch of smoke and cedar, fine tannins, fresh acidity, good length finish. Classy and composed, no hurry here.
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7/10/2021 - J'agnes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Good closure. Colour a definite garnet but vibrant nonetheless. Nose is dark fruit with plenty of oak - not as coconut dominated as some so perhaps a mix of french and American oak? Palate is youthful with a nice blackberry bramble fruit and soft persistent tannins. Nice long soft finish.
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11/4/2020 - lasko Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bright red and mellow black fruits , acidity intact, fine tannins. Will keep for many years yet. Reminded of why I like the Imperial Reserva better than Imperial Gran Reserva; less oak and a fresher, more transparent wine.
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11/1/2020 - dkentaustin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Sandalwood, tart raspberry, red currant, loads of cranberry and subtle rhubarb. Lovely chalky, integrated tannins. Bright and beautiful with lots of flavor without being heavy. Wood fire and smoke at the back end. Really enjoying a long overdue rioja.
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9/11/2020 - Paul D wrote: 89 Points
1/7, excellent cork. Not decanted, # 292,481.
Deep ruby/garnet core, narrow pale ruby rim. The nose is not overly intense, still quite fruit driven with mainly black berried fruit, lightly smoky/leathery. Medium bodied on the palate, black fruit, spice, touch of liquorice, quite ripe with soft tannins but the acidity does protrude a touch (and I generally like acidity), although this becomes less marked over time as it approaches room temperature. Not overly complex but polished and attractive with a decent length finish. Overall, very good indeed with plenty still left in the tank. (Don't serve too cold)
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8/20/2020 - Bandreas wrote:
Mid dark color, no signs of aging.
Sweet smell, almost like Austalian Shiraz; pleasant.
On palate at first quite round, then come the tannins which throw the wine off balance. I am worried about those: Don't know if they will ever fully integrate.
Rather have a suspicion that they will eat up the fruit...
On the whole: Not a bad wine, but very monochromatic and I don't think that it merited to be the wine of the year as proclaimed by the Wine Spectator so many years ago...
Middling between old and new (international) school. It's as if the makers could not decide about it...
On the whole: I would not buy it again.....
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7/26/2020 - rjsmall Likes this wine:
Medium red colour. Strawberry, toasted oak, dark cherry flavour along with leather. Drinking beautifully. Still has a bit of life left.
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5/1/2020 - kevin h wrote: 91 Points
Serious and classy Rioja, fine oak, dense ret fruit and a touch of boot polish. Reserves are for their fruit density rather than lighter oak driven fruit complexity one gets with a Gran Reserva. Excellent but still quite young flavours.
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2/9/2020 - rjsmall Likes this wine:
Deep red colour. Tight nose. Leather and spice in flavour. Quite light in body. Drinking well but getting towards the end of the drinking window perhaps.
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2/9/2020 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Ruby and bright. Nose of black cherry, dried prune, menthol, baked currants. To taste there’s lots of black cherry and blackcurrant flavour, spices, the menthol aromas are almost overpowering as the wine is swallowed and the menthol drifts into the nose. Good acidity and melded tannins, drinking beautifully.
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10/27/2019 - moods wrote: 89 Points
Drank over two days and markedly better on day 1. Fruit was more vibrant and lifted. Has developed some secondary aromas, and is maturing nicely. Well balanced and integrated. Likely drinking window another 2 years.
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7/7/2019 - kevin h wrote: 90 Points
Nice red fruits, oak clearly, some secondary development. Drinking well but further to go.
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3/24/2019 - rjsmall Likes this wine:
Dark red colour. Leather, red fruits and tobacco on the nose along with flavour. Licorice and earthiness. Smooth and very enjoyable.
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1/20/2019 - chbeaumont wrote: 88 Points
Surprisingly deep colour; imposing nose, plummy, with an oaky undertow; muscular palate, plenty of flashy fruit, with an assertive backbone; finishes well. Not much finesse. This will age 5 years+ easily.
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9/30/2018 - bacchus of knockholt wrote: 88 Points
Ruby colour. Nose of damson, blackberry and blackcurrant. The palate is plush with primary blackberry and damson fruit, a little sour on the mid palate, almost stalky with drying tannins on the finish. This bottle isn’t as good as previous, a little disappointing to be honest. I have one bottle left, I’ll leave it for a few more years to get those tertiary flavours.
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7/11/2018 - mark_m_owen wrote: 89 Points
the deity from Kent has it pretty much spot on, although this one was better than the previous bottle I had 18 months ago - it has greater profile.
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5/21/2018 - Geoffy Likes this wine: 91 Points
I'm a big fan - Just what I expect from a good Reserva in a great vintage
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12/27/2017 - Alexroy wrote: 90 Points
Smooth, sour fruit, cherries, medium to long.
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12/26/2017 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ruby and youthful. Nose of chocolate, black cherry, black olives. The palate has a lovely black cherry flavours, medium weight, cedar, vanilla, oak spice, chocolate, fine grain tannins and acidity. Drinking beautifully.
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12/7/2017 - Alexroy wrote: 89 Points
Lovely red fruit nose. Smooth, medium length.
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8/13/2017 - rjsmall Likes this wine:
Dense red colour with a touch of brown on the edge. Liquorice, leather on the nose with some aniseed. Aniseed, dark fruits with long finish. Rounded. Opened over an hour. Plenty of life left in it.
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7/28/2017 - moods wrote: 92 Points
Lovely red fruit, now showing some tertiary aromas and flavors. Probably on its plateau for the next couple of years.
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6/24/2017 - TheBoojum Likes this wine: 80 Points
Expectation: something a bit special
4*
Nice but just past its best.
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4/15/2017 - moods wrote: 92 Points
Drank over two days. Very deep color, just starting to turn on the rim. Mixed red and dark fruits dominate the aromas. Some creamy notes, maybe some tobacco spice. Some toast. But mostly just young ripe fruit, without being jammy. Smooth, elegant palate. Soft attack, plenty of fruit. Tannin comes through late, but doesn't overpower the palate. Spicy, with a touch of warmth. Very long. This is drinking wonderfully right now, but has the stamina to go another couple of years I would think.
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4/2/2017 - rjsmall Likes this wine:
Deep red colour. Coconut, strawberry and musk on the nose. Similar flavours along with some spice. Opened very well over an hour - smoothed out. Long finish. Very good and very enjoyable - drinking well.
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2/26/2017 - Ian S wrote:
(From a half bottle)
Still youthful purple-garnet colour, not especially bright and with just a little bricking at the rim.
A good balance of fruit and savoury on the nose, with darker spicy fruit balancing with soy, leather & coffee
Medium bodied palate showing the same fruit, in a somewhat elegant style, with the savoury elements pushed to the background. Acidity sticks out a fraction when drunk without food, so should be ideal with food. Some complexity on the relatively low key, but quite persistent finish.
Overall very good, but it feels like there is still more to come.
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1/15/2017 - Geoffy Likes this wine: 91 Points
As before, excellent. See previous note. Hold the last two for a year or so
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12/8/2016 - Alexroy wrote: 90 Points
Dark spicy fruit on nose. Nice poise, long, mixed fruit. Classic.
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10/6/2016 - Geoffy Likes this wine: 92 Points
Absolutely classic Rioja. Fruit, acidity and tannin in perfect harmony before they give way to a long long finish where the oaky vanilla comes through. Not a fashionable view, but it's what I expect and love.
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7/1/2016 - rjsmall Likes this wine:
Deep red, clear colour. Coconut on nose. Red fruits - cherry and strawberry which opened up adding some tar and tobacco. Fresh with bright acid. Opened nicely over an hour or so. Still very youthful. Very enjoyable but has a long life ahead of it.
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9/13/2015 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 89 Points
Black colour. Blackberry fruit nose with some dustiness. The blackberry fruit follows through on the palate with a nice crunch which comes with a lovely freshness. This is atypical of what I expect from Rioja but enjoyable nonetheless. This has bags of life left in it and will probably benefit from more time in the cellar.
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4/25/2015 - moods wrote: 88 Points
Still a touch too young methinks. Lots of red fruit, creamy vanilla, cinnamon spice. Ripe tannin, somewhat chunky. Freshness from the acidity. Opened up much more on day 2.
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3/17/2015 - Tannatastic Likes this wine: 89 Points
Good, still young, needed time to open up and breath a little. Still very deep colour, not much sign of age, and still quite primary. 88-89 for now, I've no doubt over the next few years this will improve.
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10/11/2014 - cepageyakima wrote: 94 Points
Fantastic old school Rioja!!!
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8/13/2014 - cristian_m wrote: 92 Points
My last bottle and it finally paid off. This one was in pristine condition. Cork totally intact, wine was right up to about 4 mm below the cork. Outer cork had a funky blue mold on it that I've seen on all the previous bottles but for some reason, this cork held where the others did not. That said, over the range of bottles in the case I bought, I've never seen bottle variation like what I got from these guys. Several of the bottles didn't even seem to taste like Tempranillo. Ranging from complete and utter wretch to near the pinnacle of Rioja splendor. Of 12, there were 8 bad ones with only 4 bottles being ok and of those, only 2 where were they should have been. All were bought in the same case, transported and stored identically.
This bottle showed bright and acidic with a powerful nose of pleasant cherry, dill, earth and leather. Same notes in the mouth with a fantastic grip and lengthy finish. If only all my bottles of this vintage could have fared so well. Really makes me wonder if the vendor I bought them from saw some damage with them...
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7/27/2014 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 88 Points
Popped and poured. Youthful ruby red core but some hint on bricking and slightly translucent. Nose of dark chocolate, dried herbs, hints of tobacco too. The palate is quite intense, medium body, good concentration of blackcurrant fruit which gives way to a dried herb, slights savoury finish. Has plenty of life in it. Not a wow wine but excellent nonetheless.
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7/26/2014 - kevin h wrote:
Too warm to drink this.
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7/21/2014 - cristian_m wrote: flawed
Another flawed bottle. Corked. I bought this case from Binny's in downtown Chicago. Wondering if they took some kind of damage from the vendor?
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6/29/2014 - cristian_m Likes this wine: 89 Points
These two bottles from cellar proved to be in good condition. Sensing they are on a downward arch with age though, at this point. Complexity, acids and tannins are all in a really nice spot but the fruit is fading. Right out of the bottle the fruit was short and sumptuous but totally blew off within a half hour in the glass. A shame really as the concentrated layers of rich cherry vanilla were amazing. When the fruit disappeared there was left just the dry acid tannin notes. Did not decant as I suspected it would only worsen the problem.
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6/27/2014 - cristian_m wrote: flawed
Tried one bottle. Was sorely disappointed when it was totally spent. Dry fruitless elderly dredge. Cork was intact and wine in the bottle was still right up on the cork. Went down and grabbed another...Cork intact and nice fill....upon opening...wet sweaty socks and cardboard. No amount of decanting or venturi was able to revive anything from either. I seriously hope my remaining bottles fair better.
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5/31/2014 - degrandcru Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had this at dinner after a 04 Lan Rerserva. I liked the Lan Reserva, but this one I loved. Both were very well rounded, but the Imperial more complex. The Lan ready to drink up while I think that this one still has potential to get even better in the bottle. Beautiful.
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5/4/2014 - degrandcru Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needed about 1/2 hour to open up. Beautiful nose cherries and strawberries. Very nicely balanded and a long finish. Excellent Rioja.
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2/23/2014 - shallIshantI wrote: 85 Points
There were crystals but no travel on the cork. Needed decanting or filtering. Not much of a bouquet but clean. Nicely rounded on the palate, full of Summer fruits but dark and deep. Medium length and complexity. This is peaking now so drink up.
Tasted on second day - distinctly vegetal now. Not nice.
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2/11/2014 - kevin h wrote: 90 Points
Pleasant if still youthful Rioja, oak red fruits very mellow and good depth of fruit. Give it 5 years.
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1/4/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 92 Points
Sloxed about 90 minutes prior to sipping. This had a beautiful nose from the get go and never closed down. Drinking quite well already and showing nearly perfect balance. Why spend 2-4 times as much for an overoaked super cuvee modern tempranillo requiring years for the oak to meld, if ever, when you can get this ready to go $38 Rioja with loads of charactor.Not saying this an oakless wine but rather its in its place and not masking the terroir or fruit. I'll buy more of this and keep them for a few years to see where it goes. I find that Reserva is the sweetspot level for classic Tempranillo from Rioja where you get great depth but still youthfully fresh fruit and vigor at a great price. This is example A.
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12/21/2013 - trygvaldo wrote: 95 Points
Tåler fint 20 år til, men dette var bra!
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6/27/2013 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. Kaps and Figs at Bulla. Great nose. Dark med-full bodied. Balanced. Restrained fruit. Mostly dark cherry. 91+.
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4/7/2013 - MarkL wrote:
Tried one to see if it was ready. No formal note taken but it's too young in my opinion. Another year or two at least.
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1/6/2013 - Sethbo11 wrote: 87 Points
Slow O'd for 4 hours and drank against 04 Valdemar Gran Reserva and Muga Special Selection. This was number 2 of the night. Barnyard nose. Medium body.
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9/25/2012 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Rustic dark red fruit, earth, and a touch of kernel on the nose. Palate shows cedar aand herb spice on very fine medium tannin. This has opened up very nicely over the last 6 hours, as it started out rather muted.
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9/11/2012 - yofog wrote: 91 Points
Brighter, fresher, cleaner, without the balsamic note that I often found in older imperials. I like the change, if I'm right about that, but I guess the old way had its charms, too.
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7/10/2012 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Cedar wild herb thing strongly on the nose. Less fig and dark fruits than the Heredia (which I assume is thier substantial use of oak). Smells great. Cherry, a sour note on the nose, plesantly so. It kinda sends me. But I like this sort of thing.
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5/31/2012 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
RussK WIC w/ PeterC Phil and PF at villagio BB. My WOTN, by a nose. And a great barnyard nose it has. Good balance, poise, and a touch of a sour plum finish.92-
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5/31/2012 - henrygjeffreys wrote:
nose - restrained, some toast and plumminess
taste - lots going on here, good acidity, strawberry fruit, beautiful structure, long
Excellent
two ticks
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5/15/2012 - richard.stevens wrote: 91 Points
Classic
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5/1/2012 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
RussK. With PF at 7th st. One of the WOTN. Smooth and soft now. Classy. Nice mature earthy nose and mouth. Buy some. 91+
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3/18/2012 - dalondra wrote: 91 Points
Delicious wine. Drinking well. Prabably at its peak, but will last. Drunk with a lamb tagine. Improved in decanter for 90 mins. Soft tannins. Vanilla, dark fruits and long and slightly salty on the back palate.
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2/12/2012 - thamuhacha wrote: 87 Points
From a magnum. Not helped by the comparison to a beautiful 1969 Riojanas we had before hand, this had a bit too much of everything: fruit, oak, vanilla. If you have one of these, decant for about 3 hours, or leave it for 5 years. And it needs some big food.
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11/28/2011 - swayzeeee wrote: 91 Points
A substantial wine showing great promise. Tight & closed until decanted for a few hours. Velvety texture, long finish.
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10/25/2011 - pizzasomm wrote: 93 Points
color: dark and murky, maroon with a pink rim
nose: earthy, mushroom notes
taste: medium bodied, bright fruits, dry, strawberry, raspberry, integrated tannins, well-balanced, spices on the finish
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8/31/2011 - tantotinto wrote: 89 Points
Tasted immediately after opening. Dark crimson. Blackberry, earth and spice nose. Plum, cherry and spice flavor. Soft and plush texture. The tannins are well integrated. This is very easy drinking right now. I like it but expected more at this price point.
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7/10/2011 - up4wine wrote: 88 Points
Based on recommendations I received and its price point, I expected more from this wine. Recently, I have had a few 2000's and 2001's that are prodigious efforts. Although this bottle was very good, it was not in the company of these other wines from Rioja. As a 2004, it may be that 3 to 4 more years in the bottle will be just what this one needs. It was a little disjointed. The fruit was there, but tightly wound.
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4/3/2011 - mwanasheria wrote: 90 Points
Dark crimson. Very sweet, vanilla, oak, dark fruit, very extracted.
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2/12/2011 - mdefreitas wrote: 92 Points
Rioja Legend CVNE with Colin Gent, MW (PJ Wines, NYC): Medium to dark red center offering little lightening on the rim. Brooding, almost hinting at black fruits. Strong tannins, but accessable due to the texture. Some tea and animal notes. Good complexity and length. Refined.
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1/20/2011 - surlemur wrote: 86 Points
Discreet nose: dark berries, some spices and just a little vanilla. Very balanced and 'silky' on the palate, great structure. Good length.
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12/28/2010 - richard.stevens wrote: 89 Points
Vanilla, red and dark fruit. Leave for a couple of years
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11/14/2010 - bmagic wrote: 92 Points
Nose of strawberries & cream, and vanilla. On the palate, dark red fruits, cherries, light tannins, just a hint of cough linctus and with a pleasant aftertaste initially reminiscent of sweet potpourri, but which then evolves into something darker. Full bodied - great structure. Soft texture. Very good. Perhaps another year or two would bring this out into additional glory. Or some red meat.
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5/12/2010 - vespasian wrote:
Lovely balsamic, clove and red fruit nose; smooth - good texture and fruit.
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5/6/2010 - amateurwino wrote: 90 Points
On the nose, slightly powdery and vanilla notes with sweet fruit. On the palate, this is a big step up from the crianza; fairly light-bodied, almost watery in its viscosity, but the flavor is nice; quite sweet, definitely showing its oak still, but overall, a pleasing wine that should continue to evolve. On par with the Vina Alberdi Reserva 03; this is a bit sweeter; I prefer the Alberdi slightly but this could certainly win its share of fans. 90-91
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3/4/2010 - admid wrote: 92 Points
Purple red, no visible aging color
Aroma: strawberries and oak, with a spicy touch
Medium body and available tannins. Structured and extreme balance. Soft and nice. Barrel notes and red berries on the palate.
Very good length
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