Castillo Real
Bodegas Riojanas
Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 1998
what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage  — 3 months ago
Viña Real (CVNE)
Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017
Delicious 2017 vintage — a month ago
Royal Oporto (Real Companhia Velha)
Carvalhas Douro Touriga Nacional - Touriga Franca Blend 2019
Great cheap buy from Total Wine. Pleasantly surprised how good this was and would get again. — 4 months ago
Castillo Clavijo
Gran Reserva RIoja Tempranillo Blend 2016
Great rioja for the price. Great flavors of vanilla and warm spice. Thin body but nice structure otherwise. Crisp for a rioja. — 7 months ago
Royal Oporto (Real Companhia Velha)
Quintas das Carvalhas Reserva Douro 2021
Good! Total wines Portugal wine. Would get again. Deep fruit but not too dark. Balanced. — 3 months ago
Viña Real (CVNE)
Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2019
Light rioja. But I honestly don’t know much about the wines. Going to Spain next week should be better to describe next time. Not very tannins. Not very dry. Medium oak. Like it especially on a beautiful night after playing soccer with my kid. 17$. Totally worth it. Would recommend. — 5 months ago
Lev Lavrichtchev
Oct 2024: PnP ready in 10 minutes, smooth classic Rioja, good VFM — 3 months ago