Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and rust colored rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and drying fruits: lightly stewed blackberries, black cherry, plums, tobacco, dried green herbs, old fine wood, vanilla and 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.
Initial conclusions: this could be Tempranillo, Malbec, Merlot (or based blend), or Zinfandel-based blend from Spain, Argentina, France or the United States. However, the staining was a bit much unless there was a lot of PS in the blend so I eliminated Zinfandel. I also didn’t think this was purple enough for Malbec. This left me with Tempranillo or Merlot and I felt that this leaned more towards its structure than fruit so I was leaning Spain or France with 15-20 years of age and from a solar vintage. Ultimately, I chose Tempranillo, from Spain, Rioja, Gran Reserva from 2006…from a quality producer like C.V.N.E. Yeah, I can see Pomerol. Shoot. This is stuff and ready to drink now and will drink well through 2032+. — a month ago
Lovely deep garnet, red fruit, opened up over the evening — 10 days ago
Been too long since I’ve had Bordeaux. This one is a golf shot away from one of the “big boys” and a steal for a fraction of the price. — 12 days ago
Comida amigos CUU DOS AGUAS — 17 hours ago
Ron Siegel
Youthful showing red & black fruits, spice box, graphite, tobacco & floral notes — 7 days ago