Excellent. I wasn't that into this the first night and tried again another night and wasn't in the groove, but ~3/4 of the bottle really found itself the third night. This is strange, because looking at (rust brown-yellow) and tasting this, you'd think air would be the enemy, but that's not how it worked for me.
Strange / silly of me to have sat on this bottle for five years after purchase.
I'll just ditto DK AMATEUR's note from a couple of years ago.
13.5% abv
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Unfortunately this was far more oxydized than the two previous bottles. Colour was distinctly brown. It wasn't really undrinkable,it was still coherent and had notes that would be natural in a palo cortado. But a pleasure? Not really.
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First half was drunk over an hour alongside a 2017 Zidarich vitovska which was opened two days ago. Actually, the Zidarich was more complex but the old wine aromas (a hint of oxidation, like in an amontillado sherry, a hint of vanilla cream) and the lively structure -- nothing old there -- of the 20 year old Galea were superb. For some reason the importer sells these at a lower price than the 2015 and 2016. So it should also be mentioned that the price of the Zidarich was actually 10 to 15 euros higher than this 20 year old beauty!
On the second day, from recorked half-bottle kept in the fridge, it is still excellent, the old wine character morphing into anise aromas with increasing temperature.
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Zalto universal glass, drunk over two hours. At first, an old and seemingly oxidised nose (caramel and bananas), though nothing to scare a lover of traditional Rioja. With time, it morphed gradually into something more like aged dry white wine, at times with a whiff of lava. Wonderful creamy texture with a kind of smoothly organised complexity and impeccable balance. Quite a firm wine, very good with food. I would have liked to leave something for tomorrow, but is was just too tasty.
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This is a great wine. Amazing to taste a 19 year old dry white drinking at its prime. Probably related to being on the lees for years before bottling. Rich, medium body, moderate acidity, mild-mod complexity. Paired nicely with calamari and spaghetti with clams. Wish I had several more bottles.
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Color is of a person needing to drink more water....deep honey gold.. Nose is apricot, melon, straw/hay note, slight honey, slight pear... Mouth feel is medium heavy..... flavor is toasty, slight oxidized flavor, Some oak note (maybe the toasty note)...and same taste of fruit as the nose...... Gosh for an 18 yr old white it’s still fresh and delicious... really an interesting wonderful wine...SOOOOO glad I got to try it!!
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In the zone now, with a good many years yet ahead. Medium straw color, clear and bright; looks pretty young. The nose has some sherry notes, in additional to orchard and citric elements. Good soil, minerality and verve, but this shows much more character at the warmer end of the spectrum (i.e. too cool and this was really, really mute). Shows the balance and structure to continue evolving, positively, for another 7-8 years. Ours was a PnP, but I think I'd be inclined to aerate this in decanter for an hour or two next time. Solid, interesting; might be best to hold, believe it or not. recommended
7/18/2023 - eteyemd wrote:
Corked
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12/26/2022 - tward Likes this wine: 91 Points
Excellent. I wasn't that into this the first night and tried again another night and wasn't in the groove, but ~3/4 of the bottle really found itself the third night. This is strange, because looking at (rust brown-yellow) and tasting this, you'd think air would be the enemy, but that's not how it worked for me.
Strange / silly of me to have sat on this bottle for five years after purchase.
I'll just ditto DK AMATEUR's note from a couple of years ago.
13.5% abv
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12/31/2021 - DK Amateur wrote: flawed
Unfortunately this was far more oxydized than the two previous bottles. Colour was distinctly brown. It wasn't really undrinkable,it was still coherent and had notes that would be natural in a palo cortado. But a pleasure? Not really.
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2/26/2021 - DK Amateur Likes this wine:
First half was drunk over an hour alongside a 2017 Zidarich vitovska which was opened two days ago. Actually, the Zidarich was more complex but the old wine aromas (a hint of oxidation, like in an amontillado sherry, a hint of vanilla cream) and the lively structure -- nothing old there -- of the 20 year old Galea were superb. For some reason the importer sells these at a lower price than the 2015 and 2016. So it should also be mentioned that the price of the Zidarich was actually 10 to 15 euros higher than this 20 year old beauty!
On the second day, from recorked half-bottle kept in the fridge, it is still excellent, the old wine character morphing into anise aromas with increasing temperature.
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10/2/2020 - DK Amateur Likes this wine:
Zalto universal glass, drunk over two hours. At first, an old and seemingly oxidised nose (caramel and bananas), though nothing to scare a lover of traditional Rioja. With time, it morphed gradually into something more like aged dry white wine, at times with a whiff of lava. Wonderful creamy texture with a kind of smoothly organised complexity and impeccable balance. Quite a firm wine, very good with food. I would have liked to leave something for tomorrow, but is was just too tasty.
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6/19/2020 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delightfully complex. Mid+ body, mid++ acid, 13.5%. In its prime but no sense of decline yet.
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5/31/2020 - SWHighlander Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a great wine. Amazing to taste a 19 year old dry white drinking at its prime. Probably related to being on the lees for years before bottling. Rich, medium body, moderate acidity, mild-mod complexity. Paired nicely with calamari and spaghetti with clams. Wish I had several more bottles.
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3/23/2019 - alpha_ori Likes this wine: 92 Points
In great condition for a 19-year-old white wine. Delicious.
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11/5/2018 - Rico100 wrote: 94 Points
Super interesting. An 18 year old white that was not a bit tired. Rich yet not buttery. Great white.
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7/20/2018 - KJD45$ Likes this wine: 91 Points
Color is of a person needing to drink more water....deep honey gold..
Nose is apricot, melon, straw/hay note, slight honey, slight pear...
Mouth feel is medium heavy..... flavor is toasty, slight oxidized flavor,
Some oak note (maybe the toasty note)...and same taste of fruit as the nose......
Gosh for an 18 yr old white it’s still fresh and delicious... really an interesting wonderful wine...SOOOOO glad I got to try it!!
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5/22/2018 - Seanwsmithm3 wrote: 88 Points
Seemed flat. not oxidized or flawed but lacking character and excitement. Drink Up
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3/26/2018 - alohaboys Likes this wine: 89 Points
Hint of TCA, which blew off in minutes. Otherwise a fine wine.
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2/22/2018 - LoireFan wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful!
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12/1/2017 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
In the zone now, with a good many years yet ahead. Medium straw color, clear and bright; looks pretty young. The nose has some sherry notes, in additional to orchard and citric elements. Good soil, minerality and verve, but this shows much more character at the warmer end of the spectrum (i.e. too cool and this was really, really mute). Shows the balance and structure to continue evolving, positively, for another 7-8 years. Ours was a PnP, but I think I'd be inclined to aerate this in decanter for an hour or two next time. Solid, interesting; might be best to hold, believe it or not. recommended
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