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 moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of plum, dark cherry, licorice, coffee, dry earth, soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The alcohol is high. Hmmm…

Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache based blend, Tempranillo based blend, Merlot based blend or Malbec from France, Spain, the United States or Argentina. This didn’t stain as much as I would like for Malbec or Merlot and I don’t detect any pyrazines. Yet, it stained more than I would like for Grenache and the florals were all wrong besides. I kinda like this being Tempranillo but the oak seems French; neutral or larger format so I don’t like this from Rioja. I’m calling this Tempranillo from Spain, Toro, 2020. Lol, wow. Even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes. Drink now through 2035. — 6 days ago

Robert Torretti

9.1

Solid Rioja Reserva from 2015. Dense without being overly so. Nice nose, which started to take off toward the end of bottle. Decanting before serving helped. Served as the second red, so should have opened it earlier. — 5 days ago

Amanda Drazka

9.0

This full bodied reserva wine offers big aromas of cherry, black licorice and black pepper. It was tight upon opening but I let it breathe in the glass for an hour which allowed vanilla aromas to come through as well. It offers silky tannins that keep the structure and mellow out on the persistent finish. This wine has flavors of ripe cherry, black pepper and leather. This is a beautiful and complex wine that I think will be even better in a few years. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

From the stable of the famous Alvaro Palacios. Black cherry, raspberry, thyme and gravel - many nuances. Barb thought a raisiny note. On the medium bodied palate, very savoury. One of my favourite grapes (Mencia) and terroirs (Bierzo), and has been every time I taste it. Very fine tannins - almost silky. A stunning, flamboyant Spanish Label. Amazing value at only $46AUD which I paid in 2020. — 11 days ago

Roman Ochocki

9.3

More fruity than Tondoña: cherry and plum stand out, but there's more fruit, but I don't want to get carried away. Then vanilla and tobacco, perhaps leather. High acidity, very pleasant. Silky tannins. Long finish. — 9 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Blend of Tempranillo with a little Mazuelo (Cariñena), each aged separately for 26 months (Temp-American / Mazuelo-French), pronounced bouquet of berry fruits with complex spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and plum flavors, well balanced, with pepper, cinnamon and slight tobacco. Long finish, fine tannins ending with fruit and an earthy mineral character. Outstanding, will still age! — a month ago

Dave

9.2

Drinking this way too early, but it sounded good and it is good. Chewy, tart cherry juice, cedar, silky tannins. Happy Friday, friends!
Listening to Black Eyed Peas — 14 days ago

Jon Ebsworth

9.4

Mature brooding excellence. Enjoyed by the riverbank last May on the River Test. — 7 days ago

Mary H

9.2

Punchy crowpleaser: heavy, almost syrupy body with strong, bold flavors of oaky vanilla, ripe black cherry, and cinnamon spice. Smooth and round mouthfeel. Not terribly complex but a joy to drink. — 14 days ago

Kilian Werner

9.1

This and Alion are my two favorites! Dark color, black currant, black pepper. Delicious — 25 days ago