C R Cellars

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1970

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… — 6 days ago

Ely, Jae and 27 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Tom Casagrande it doesn’t happen very often for me…maybe once a year. But when it does, it’s an emotional thing
David T

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Nice treat.

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2011

Would like to spend more time with one of these. Many Riesling use cases fly through the mind. Lees in clear focus. — 2 months ago

Severn, Ira and 9 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Cubillo Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2015

2015. Wasn’t sure what to pair with this delicious Filipino rice dish with longanisa, chicken, and cumin crab fat butter (likely a wide range of whites, rosés, and lighter reds would work well), but I wanted to try this Spanish Crianza and it was wonderful! The fruit flavors were enough to complement the sweet sausage and the smooth tannins cut through the richness without intensifying the spice. — 3 days ago

David, Iwan and 9 others liked this
David T

David T Influencer Badge

If you are unsure of the pairing, here is an easy to use site for the assist. Cheers! 🍷

http://www.winedin.com/
Brian Hearty

Brian Hearty

Thank you!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Rioja Rosé Blend 2011

Orange , onion skin in colour. Orange rind , spices, vanilla, roasted nuts, seaside hints . On the palate intense and with high acidity , lemon and orange rind, caramel hints . Long and complex on the finish , very balanced. I would imagine this is in its drinking window , and will continue to drink well for a further 5-8 years — 21 days ago

Jeroen, Ely and 10 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2001

Gorgeous dried roses and leather. So elegant. Excellent — a month ago

Jan, Andrew and 4 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

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. — 6 days ago

Juan, Jay and 5 others liked this

Heitz Cellar

Lot C-91 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Old world in style with delicate fruit, subtle wood notes, some tannin, and firm acidity. Assemblage of Cabs from Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Howell Mountain which accentuate the Napa terroir. — a month ago

Paul, Ted and 9 others liked this

Thierry Allemand

Cornas Reynard (R) Syrah 2011

Always a treat with its perfumed aromatics, balanced dark cherry, berry fruits, spice, mineral, graphite, iron, olive, pepper & violets — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 8 others liked this

Santa Rita

Triple C Estate Bottled Valle del Maipo Red Blend 2013

Deep, Rich, and elegant. The wine actually feels more viscous than normal, and it’s just heavily perfumed and flavored and thick in your mouth. It absolutely feels like chewing on a handful of fresh blue and red fruit mixed together. Perfume of violet and Queen Anne roses, as it faded over time it actually became a much more elegant and approachable wine. Absolutely delicious.  — a month ago

Denise Espinoza
with Denise
Tom liked this