Faroni Lopez

Hacienda Lopez de Haro (Bodega Classica)

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2012

Blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. Medium ruby color with a dark core and orange rim. Aromas of coffee, leather, ripe red fruit, wet stones and forest floor. Flavors of black berry/currant/plum fruit, black licorice, balsamic vinegar and roasted meat and nuts. Long earthy and slightly spicy finish. Pleasant acidity and silky (but slightly chalky) tannins. Full bodied, round and elegant. Beautifully aged. Thanks for sharing, Keith S! Happy 60th Birthday, Karyn! — 2 months ago

Dave, Paul and 1 other liked this

Dominio del Aguila

Pícaro del Águila Clarete Tempranillo Blend 2020

Not your grandmothers clarete- whatever that may be. Light hibiscus in color, with strong notes of red currant, blood orange, cassis, and black cherry. A bit chewy & substantial on palate. While it’s not Rose, I could see serving this to someone who finds Lopez de Heredia Rose too funky or… like me, cost prohibiting. For about 70$ less, it’s delicious & fascinating. — 2 years ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Bob, Ira and 4 others liked this

Bodegas Hermanos Peciña

Reserva Señorío de P. Peciña Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of dark cherry, brambles, fig, toasted coconut, dill, cedar, olives, leather, earth and baking spices. There seemed to be quite a bit of wood. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish was long, delicious. Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend with other Bordeaux varieties), Syrah (or a blend with other Rhone varieties), Zinfandel, or Tempranillo from France, Italy, the United States, Australia or Spain. However, the amount of coconut and dill suggested this was American oak which had me rule out France, Italy and Australia and while this had some very lovely fruit, I felt this leaned more towards its non-fruit characteristics. So, final conclusion: this is Tempranillo, from Spain, from Rioja, Reserva 2011 from a high-quality, traditional producer like Lopez de Heredia. Ohhhh so close! I love this producer. The wines have so much character. Drink now and through 2033. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister, Juan and 7 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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A great note as usual. The use of American Oak in Australia is more prevalent than you might think. Penfolds use it in some of their Red Cuvées.
Jay Kline

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@Bob McDonald thanks Bob! You bring up a good point about the American oak. I thought about that…but I’m trying to think of a scenario when I drank an Australian wine that screamed American oak the same way. I’ll admit that I haven’t drank as much Aussie Shiraz in the last 15 years as I probably should.

Hacienda Lopez de Haro (Bodega Classica)

Rueda Verdejo 2016

Accessible Rioja. Not spectacular but would definitely get again - great for weeknight. Found at Wegmans — 4 years ago

Dave Rostker
with Dave
Bobbi Jo liked this

Bodegas Navarro-Lopez

Reserva Viejo Marchante Valdepeñas Tempranillo

Buen nivel se complejidad, importante decantarlo — 5 years ago

Calabretta

Sicilia Nerello Mascalese 2010

You have to understand that not many wines ( well, that’s a bit bombastic) give me more pleasure consistently than this, the most recent release-2010! From Calabretta . Kinda like Lopez de Heredia meets Vallana, ie Nebbiolo, though it is Nerollo Macalese. Smoked, tar, roses, fine & integrated tannins on the palate- strong mid palate which in my imagination has gotten stronger with age. Super lithe and really ethereal body- light, light to medium body but gorgeous acid spine, strong presence. Not a light wine. Bought a case or so a while ago-I fear the day I am down to one. Polaner importer. — 6 years ago

Ira, Severn and 12 others liked this
Josh Morgenthau

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Love these wines. Haven’t tried any 2010s yet, still working on the ‘08s.
Peter Sultan

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Even their NVs can be quite good @Josh Morgenthau. One of the great underdogs of Etna- viva el revolution!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2014

2014. Love the complexity of the Lopez de Heredia white wines. — 4 months ago

Andrew, Tegan and 3 others liked this
Tegan Marriott

Tegan Marriott

Nice one!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2016

It’s hard to find fully shed classic Viura (white Rioja) anymore but old-school Lopez de Heredia clings to tradition. This wine, nearly 10 years old on release, is fascinating - aged to the point of considerable oxidation yet it retains its fruit ands acidity. Bruised apple, ripe pear, golden raisin, orange peel, flint, wet stones, and hay happily coexist with hazelnut, dried orange peel, coconut, baking spices ands more. The medium acidity is a firm foundation to a richly textured wine, Long finish too! — 9 months ago

Tom, David and 1 other liked this

Château Musar

Bekaa Valley Rosé Blend 2017

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Better on Day 2. The 2017 Rosé pours a unique copper gold color with medium viscosity; no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is developing with fascinating notes of black lemon, bruised pink apple, raspberry, marjoram, tarragon, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with perceptible but low tannin and high acid. Confirming the notes on the nose with the addition of a somewhat nutty characteristic reminiscent of spiced almonds. The finish is medium+ and savory. A wine for thinking. Similar to the R. Lopez de Heredia wines: if you like the white, you will like the rosé. Just lovely. Drink now with patience and a slight chill; best after 2027 through 2037. — 2 years ago

Brian, Ira and 9 others liked this
Severn G

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Hell yeah

Bodegas Beronia

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Adventuring past Lopez or Rioja Alta slways intrigues- this ‘12 beauty is broad & generous. Black fruited & rich, medium acidity. While Rioja Alta’s lineup may have finer tannins & more acidic snap on the back end, this is all about the fruit. — 4 years ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Aaron, Ira and 8 others liked this

Rafa Lopez

Vino Sexto Elemento Bobal

Forgot how much I loved this deep, inky purple wine. It’s rich, velvety - enjoy it with food, but a great red to slowly sip and savor. Worth the treat. — 4 years ago

Paul liked this

Lopez Island Vineyards

Puget Sound Siegerrebe 2018

Again another super vintage of this wine. Refreshing crisp melon notes and slight mineral aftertones. — 6 years ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

2011. Haven’t had the Bosconia before and liked it very much. Barrel aromas and flavors seem more forward here than in other Lopez de Heredia wines I’ve had. — 4 months ago

Tegan, ESF and 2 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

I love R Lopez de Heredia wines. Still made the way they were made hundred years ago. Wines for old souls who really appreciate timeless art and low intervention. — 5 months ago

Daniel, Jose and 9 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Belle bouteille que ce Bosconia 2012. J'en prend une habitude de boire les Lopez de Heredia, Rosé, Blanc, Reserva, Gran Reserva tout y passe et tout est bon. Ce Bosconia ne fait pas exception, nez complexe d'épices, de cuir, bois, champignon. Bouche soyeuse, agréable aux tanins fondus. — 2 years ago

jesus liked this

Hacienda Lopez de Haro (Bodega Classica)

Reserva Selección de la Familia Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Vine Styles- excellent with red sauce, on sale for $25 — 3 years ago

Hacienda Lopez de Haro (Bodega Classica)

Rioja Tempranillo

Perfect with iberico. We all liked this. Tätä voisi juoda vaikka jouluna kinkun kanssa. — 4 years ago

Mario Lopez

Vinho Rubro Vinho Verde Vinhão

Fantastic chilled red. Super drinkable. Would be great for summer BBQs. — 4 years ago

Scar of the Sea

Lopez Vineyard Zinfandel 2020

Really light touch, spicy and fresh with good acidity. Totally avoids the cloying sweetness and excess weight of most CA Zinfandel. — 5 years ago

Carol Shelton Wines

Monga Zin Lopez Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel 2017

Big aroma. Jammy jammy upfront. Raspberries and dark blackberries. Then a strawberry finish. Mild lingering dryness — 6 years ago