Andalucía, Spain

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Medium ruby with medium garnet , ruby rim . Quite high toned spicy , sweet red fruit, red plum and cherry , vanilla , with a herbal , earthy touch. On the palate this is quite strict and tannic , lots of structure with decent acidity and red plum , darker cherry , spiced currants , hedgerow fruits, blackberry . Slightly saline , stony finish . Good length and well balanced alcohol . Very young , needs time to integrate. Better in 5-8 years and will last well for a further 10 or so years . — 10 hours ago

Dave, Jay and 5 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

With Manchego, Iberico, and olives. Nailed it. At 13 years it’s starting to develop tertiary notes… earthy mushroom, tobacco. — 9 days ago

Tom, Lyle and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Great pairing!

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2012

This is spectacular. That roughness that is characteristic of Rioja is prominent but exists alongside a beautifully dry, luscious dark cherry 🍒 and oak flavour. And even with all its complexity, it’s a nice sipper too. — 11 days ago

Gillian Koh
with Gillian
Doug and Ron liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 1995

Garnet core , wide terracotta rim . Quite aromatic with sous bois , floral hints , spiced dried cherry, iodine , earth and leather . On the palate this has high acidity , fine tannins , orange rind , wet earth, sous bois , dried cherry . Good length . Ready drink now and over the next 5 years , just starting to run out of steam after a couple of hours . Elegant and refined in style — 10 hours ago

Dave, Jeroen and 4 others liked this

Alvaro Palacios

Camins del Priorat Grenache Blend 2021

ESF
8.9

i'm going to stick with my note from the 2020: too generic, this vintage had a very firm tannic grip but same aromatic & flavor profiles — 4 days ago

Dick, Tom and 9 others liked this

Ameztoi

Getariako Txakolina Hondarrabi Zuri

Along a bustling path made of ancient cut cobblestone, shadows lengthen across the exterior walls. Taverns bursting at the seams with people searching for refuge and libations as the sun grows weary. At the edge of this narrow bustling thoroughfare, the cobblestone rises up and creates a barrier against the vast void of the Bay of Biscay. Laughter, playful arguments, and wanting whispers flood the air, adding to the oppressive heat the suns pushes towards me in its last ditch effort of discomfort for the day. I drink up every ray as my feet dangle towards the breaking waves. All is right. The sun rays slowly crossfade into the voices growing louder as the night begins.

Nose: light strawberry, cut grass, lemon thyme. All faintly so.

Palate: bell pepper, serrano pepper, thai basil, zippy, medium-high acid, light bodied, lower alcohol.
— 6 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2004 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart mixed fruit: Blackberries, black cherry, dill, olives, leather, toasted coconut, some vanilla, dried green herbs and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is in a very lovely place. Drink now through 2044.  — 11 days ago

Ely, Lyle and 15 others liked this

Clos Mogador

Priorat Red Blend 2010

BlackBerry, blueberry, black pepper and licorice surrounded with well integrated and soft tannins. While the finish was not as profound as I would have liked this was an excellent wine to represent Priorat’s Garnacha-based blends. — 8 hours ago

Timothy Fox
with Timothy

Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Sicilia

Unico Ribera del Duero Tempranillo Blend 2000

2000 Unico is drinking very well but still so young. The millennium vintage will live forever. — 4 days ago

Dave, Paul and 5 others liked this

Bodegas Borsao

Tres Picos Campo de Borja Garnacha

Deep purple without any brick. Tarry black fruit jam on the nose. Bright grape and jam on the palate. A heavy rendering of Grenache with tons of alcohol. Drink right away with grilled meats. — 4 days ago