Alta Costa

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

If you know, you know.

Just eying the bottle evokes a sense of mysticism—these are increasingly rare sightings, relics of a winemaking philosophy nearly lost to time. Opening it after a recent visit to the winery feels familiar, almost fated.

The color holds strong despite its 20+ years, with a core of garnet that defies its age. On the nose, memory takes over: the scent of the underground cellar, the mold-covered walls, the rustic perfume of wood and brick. Then come the classics notes—dried rose petals, red berries, and a whisper of spice.

The palate surprises with more volume than the bottle’s vintage muster’s. Lively red fruit mingles with savory earth and warm spice, carried by silken tannins. The finish lingers with a trace of wet oak, grounding the experience in place and time.

This is a wine of lineage, character, and quiet perseverance—a style too uncommon today. Most importantly, it was opened, shared, and deeply enjoyed.
— a month ago

Paul, Dave and 10 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva Viña Arana Rioja Tempranillo

2016 gran reserva, round and on fire - que vive la rioja alta — 14 hours ago

La Rioja Alta

Viña Ardanza Reserva Selección Especial Tempranillo Blend 2017

Beautiful Rioja. Layers of red fruit and nice acidity. Super mellow tannins at this age. Doesn’t need much to open up. — a month ago

Pinotman liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

Mo
9.2

WS: 93. Baked cherry, raspberry ganache and warm fig flavors are ripe and expressive, with a pleasing counterpoint and added detail from rich notes of loamy earth and leather, plus accents of bay leaf, vanilla and red licorice. There's a supple generosity on the palate, trimmed nicely by fine-grained tannins and a tang of orange peel acidity. Tempranillo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2032. 35,000 cases made, 9,000 cases imported.

Alison Napjus
Issue Date: Aug 31, 2024
Release Price: $45/750mL
— 10 days ago

Bodegas Ramón Bilbao

Crianza Rioja Tempranillo

Had in València. We really like this Rioja. Dry and smooth. A definite buy. — a month ago

Cruz Alta

Grand Reserve Malbec

Best from Argentinian wine night — 22 days ago

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Mataro 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 3 though, this was pretty tasty throughout. The 2023 Mataro CCC pours a pretty ruby/purple color with a magenta rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of tart and ripe, black and red fruit: blackberries, raspberries, black pepper, dried thyme, gentle warm spices and wet gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Fresh and full of life. An awesome pairing with lamb/beef kofta and tabouli. Drink now through 2038. — a month ago

Tom, Somm and 9 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

That does sound like a great pairing.

Bodega Catena Zapata

Angelica Zapata Alta Malbec 2021

100% Malbec crafted by the Catena Zapata family, which established with their first Malbec vineyard planted in Mendoza, Argentina in the beginning of 1900’s.
This is sensational mid-range in the Zapata portfolio, highly perfumed wine, on nose it welcomes you with a blend of medley berries, ripen plums and baked blueberries. On the palate shows highly and deep flavors of dark chocolate, some hint of herbaceous and violet flowers as well.
The mouthfeel is denoted by the creamy and rounded tannins with a execptional depth and complexity. Decant it for 45-60 mins, pour and cheers!
— a month ago

Ted and Daniel liked this

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2019

Berry fruit nose with cinnamon and nutmeg spices. Medium tannins, well balanced great paella — 19 days ago

"Odedi" liked this