Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about three hours prior to service for color check and make sure the wine was sound since I was taking to a tasting. It was subsequently decanted about an hour prior to service. The 1998 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some slight signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing still, with notes of tart and ripe red fruits: Bing cherries, ripe raspberries, underbrush, new leather, spices, minerals, dry rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Everyone was stunned how young this came across. The fruit is still so fresh and the structure remains impressive. An evergreen wine and a perfect example why Priorat is so special. Drink now with some air and through 2038. — 10 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

12/2024. Dry and full of flavor. Dark in color and nice on the palate. — 11 days ago

Jane Nuss

9.1

Medium ruby in color with pronounced intensity. Aromas include blackberry, black cherry, cranberry, and raspberry, with hints of mint, clove, dark chocolate, leather, tobacco, and earth. Dry, with medium acidity and medium-plus tannins. Balanced and complex with a long finish.
— 16 days ago

Jae Cho

9.1

In an awkward spot that suffers by comparison to an amazing mosel troken. Has much that’s delicious, but the taut, stony tertiary flavors are incipient not quite showy. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Poured into a decanter maybe an hour prior to service. The 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and absolutely brilliant with a mix of desiccated and ripe fruits: dried Morello and Montmorency cherry, cocoa powder, mushrooms, old leather bound books, an entire cabinet full of dried herbs and spices, a memory of barnyard and a deciduous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still: medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and makes me believe there is something bigger than us in this life. This bottle, on this afternoon, gives the confidence to embrace the mystery. Drink now with an hour of air but I get the sense this is one of those Energizer Bunny wines… — a day ago

Nick Heymann

9.0

Full bodied but not overwhelming. Lots of berry textures and the leather/nutty finish is very smooth. I could enjoy this over a broad array of meat and pasta dishes. — 5 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2008 | Reliable old school Rioja, well balanced with vanilla, mocca, cedar — 2 days ago

Paul J

9.5

Great wines for Family Christmas and New Year’s Eve!! No formal notes but rated appropriately. — 14 days ago

with Brooke

ESF

9.0

Not your standard jammy Monastrell: deep wafting (mostly) dark fruited aromas, licorice & minerals, just oozing - peppery notes as well. Broad smooth on palate (med + weight) not much acidity, rugged tannins leading to modest finish. Great QPR @ Costco — 24 days ago

Matthew Davis

8.9

Fantastic, acidic brightness, great flavor. — 3 days ago

with Navin and Rivka