Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2020 “Pétalos” pours a deep purple color with a magenta rim and an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe and tart black fruits: blackberries, black cherry, salmiakki, horse blanket, and mixed earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A crazy, ambitious wine that’s the result of assembling over 300 plots. Between Raúl Perez and Palacios, Mencia doesn’t get much better. Drink now through 2030. — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Opened with the help of a Durand; cork was 4/5 saturated but did its job! Color looked fantastic so I poured slowly into a wide bottom decanter and enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 1989 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly orange rim; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated red and black fruit: black cherry, fig, brambles, leather, mushrooms, cedar box, earth, cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. This was a lovely showing by a perfectly cellared bottle. Drink now through 2029.
— 12 days ago

Ericsson

9.1

It is always great to revisit a classic. This is one of the best representations of Rivera del Duero as a whole, composed of fruit from select parcels and vineyards from the DO; it always exudes opulence, the body is full, the tannins are grippy and the finish lingers. — 22 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe, mostly dark fruits: plums, black cherry, dark brambles, purple flowers, sweet tobacco, anise, leather, vanilla and baking spices. I believe this wine sees some new, small format oak. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is smooth and luxurious. Alcohol is medium+. The wine is fairly well balanced.

Initial conclusions: this could be Merlot or a Merlot-based blend, Cabernet Franc (or based blend), Syrah, Tempranillo, Malbec or Carménère from the United States, France, Spain or Argentina. From my experience, I didn’t think it was purple or single-toned enough for Malbec. There wasn’t any rotondun or reductive qualities I usually get from Syrah; so I eliminated that as well. There weren’t enough pyrazines for Cab Franc. It left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and since this was lavishly oaked (I felt most new French oak), I veered towards Merlot and since it was leaning pretty heavily towards its fruit and the ABV was elevated, I was going New World instead of Right Bank. Final conclusion: Merlot or Merlot-based blend from the United States, from California, Napa Valley from 2015. Gosh dammit. I forgot about the possibility of Tempranillo from Toro. I totally get it but don’t hate my analysis or call. I’ve had Termes and Numanthia countless times but this was the first time trying Termanthia. It’s a big boy…but pretty well balanced considering the power. Drink now through 2032+. — 10 days ago

Vino Joe

9.6

Elite wine experience. Decanted and poured in two halves. Needed a short while for footing but was ready to party after 20-30 minutes. The bouquet was phenomenal and had a very complex mix of earth and fruit. Some figs. Some cedar? And it was all amazing. — a day ago

Dmitry Muzychak

9.4

Выпито 26.04.25 в Petit plague Св мужской компании украинцев- айтишников очень достойное темпранильо 2014 года. — 13 days ago

Ericsson

9.1

Toro: one of the oldest and strongest expressions of Tempranillo is tamed by the House of Vega Sicilia. Pintia preserves the rustic and robust nature of the DO in an elegant way. Aromas and flavors of dark fruit, violets, dark chocolate, coffee and spice. Full bodied, high alcohol and fine grain tannins with a strong finish are sure to entice. — 21 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby, slight purple edges, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak, 100% Tempranillo, aged in American oak. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with licorice, cacao, vanilla and toasty oak tones. Full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! — a day ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Deep Ruby color with aromas of dark fruits, flinty spice, floral and oak notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum with notes of espresso, cacao and licorice wrapped in oak. Firm tannins, great old world balance with acidity, full body, long finish ends with fruit, oak, spice, and earthy mineral character. — 11 days ago

Veronica S

9.2

Wow. Deep dark ruby. Blackberry, currants, cacao, wonderful nose. High tannins not gripping. Medium light body!! Strange. Haha. — a day ago