Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2018 | Fine developed smell with association of a barns yard, supple taste — 7 months ago

Will Bean

9.3

Didn’t even know Portugal had wine this amazing. Stellar rival to any great burgundy, at a fraction of the cost. — 3 years ago

with Jack

Maurice Meyer

9.2

This stuff is bloody excellent. Had with chicken with tallegio and breadcrumb crust with baby tomatoes. Perfect accompaniment. Well rounded , fresh but long and complex. A burgundy rival without question. Love it. Tempted to give higher score. — 6 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.1

Fairly extracted but still light on its feet. Grainy tannins and strong minerality frame the fruit and spice flavors quite well. This is a steal and certainly will rival many cru Beaujolais. — 7 years ago

Mark Presswood

9.6

At a tasting on Long Island at Lenz. Amazing wines. Gerald let us taste some older vintage, my hero, but the 2013 old vine cab and 2014 malbec will rival anything I've had cheers — 7 years ago

Rob

9.1

14.3%, could rival most reds. Strongest rosé I’ve had. — 8 years ago

Clive McNish

9.7

Another great wine from Paso Robles with fantastic fragrance and a flavour profile to rival some Napa big boys which sell for 2,3 even 4 times the price. Fantastic aromas straight out of the bottle with blackberry and black currant combined with vanilla, oak and violet perfume. Taste develops by the minute in the decanter and early dry minerality smooths into a long and rich finish. Really enjoyable now and no doubt will get better and better. Note: there is no Syrah in this vintage despite the title of the page. 2015 is Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. New high score for me. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Castillo Clavijo – Rioja Blanco – 2024
Rioja DOCa | Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
A very casual, approachable white from Rioja DOCa, a region better known for reds, this bottle delivers exactly what it promises: simplicity, freshness, and value. Viura-driven, made in a clean, straightforward style that favors easy drinking over complexity.

Aromas & Flavors:
Fresh and subtle with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and soft white florals. There’s a gentle herbal edge typical of Viura, but nothing overt or demanding, clean and unfussy.

Mouthfeel:
Light- to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity. Smooth, easygoing, and crisp, finishing clean without weight or oak influence.

Food Pairings:
Grilled fish, light salads, seafood tapas, simple chicken dishes, or anything olive-oil driven. A reliable companion at the table without stealing the spotlight.

Verdict:
A “does-the-job” Rioja white that makes sense on the value side. Not meant to rival more serious white Rioja expressions, but a pleasant, practical option from a red-dominant region, especially when you want something uncomplicated and food-friendly.

Did You Know?
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is Rioja’s primary white grape, capable of both simple, fresh wines like this and age-worthy, complex whites when blended or oak-aged.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is the kind of easy, reliable white you reach for when you want something light, affordable, and regionally honest, proof that Rioja can still deliver on the white side, even if reds remain its calling card. — 7 months ago

Stacey Seaver

9.0

Full bodied. Very jammy. Nice wine for the price. — 6 years ago

Brandon T

9.4

Damn, this is just great. Continues to rival the Myriad Napa for QPR. Great stuff coming out of Venge for the money. — 7 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.3

It is ashamed the San Saba vineyard falls just outside the SLH AVA, because it has always produced lovely, earthy pintos that rival its famous neighbor. Grilled cherry on the nose. Dark cherry on the palate, with superb acid kicking in from mid-palate to a long finish still carrying charred fruit. — 7 years ago

Kecia Bird

9.7

Kecia had this 7 years ago

Jake Mills-Meiner, WSET 3

9.7

Literally butter, a rival to any Napa Chard but with a European elegance that is the envy of all Californians. — 8 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Beautiful nose of black cherry, meat, orange peel, mineral & Asian spices. Great producer whose Grand crus rival those who sell for 2 - 3 times more. — 9 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Outstanding p/q. For the money, can’t think of a rival to the purity, depth of dark fruit, and grip. Balance and great value for the quality. — 3 years ago

Carla D

9.5

The 2014 is a close rival to the 2017, perhaps a little sharper and not quite as fragrant as the 2017 though GREAT with any food choice. Smooth, fruity, scrumptious. — 5 years ago

Patrick Fishman

10

Phenomenal, smooth & yummy — 6 years ago

Scott Stewart

9.5

What I pour when people say Chardonnay in the US can’t rival Burgundy. — 7 years ago

Enrico Nicoletta

9.5

Amazing expression of Alto Piemonte Nebbiolo from Le Colline (Conte Ravizza), a wine that can rival the top Barolo and barbaresco. Virile, dense, structured, complex and young! — 7 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.8

50% CS, 40% CF, 10% Merlot. This is certainly aiming for the highest pedigree of Bdx-blends, and getting there as well. Crushed white stones, serious minerality, wild fruits, plenty of spice elements and underlying acidity enabling flavours to retain freshness and length. Beautifully integrated all new oak here as well. It tastes... amazing, and it’s structure promises a very long and slow cellar evolution. Best from 2025-2040. This will rival ANY high end stuff available. — 7 years ago