Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days; consistent throughout with very little evolution. The cork basically disintegrated when trying to open. The 2009 Gran Reserva pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving gradually towards a rust colored rim. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated red fruits: Bing cherry, mulberries, spiced plum, cumin, dill, Balsamico, chocolate chip banana bread, toasted coconut, leather, cigar box, dry earth and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory and super delicious. What a drop dead gorgeous Gran Reserva from Hermanos Pecina. This drinks well from the pop and pour opens up considerably with air so decanting 30min before would be advisable. Enjoy through 2039+. The cork was doing its job as it was only partially saturated, it just came apart in little pieces. I have several remaining bottles and I’ll plan on using an Ah-So or Durand with the next bottle. A stunning, ultra-traditional Rioja Tinto. — 11 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Good fill. Beyond solid cork. Good amount + of sed. Decanted and tasted over the course of 2.5 hours. Medium heavy bod. Showed well (9.4) right out of the gate. Chunky fruit and tannins up front, structure in the back with no loss of purpose in the mid-palate. Darker fruits became more prominent at the hour decanted mark. Some stunningly beautiful notes amidst the maelstrom. First go-round with this producer. Impressive. 2.10.24. — 3 months ago

Dani Ruiz Sanchez

9.3

Brillante, rojo y muy afrutado con toques de avellana y de roble — 5 months ago

Nishith Jobanputra

9.0

Big, well-rounded and balanced Tempranillo. Reveler. — 25 days ago

Andrew Formi

9.5

Crianza 2010 perfect — 2 months ago

Chris Buggy

8.9

Rabo del toro (oxtail stew) needs some fuel, and this is it! — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby with an elegant bouquet of ripe berry fruits, pepper spice with earthy tones, 100% Tempranillo, aged for 24 months in American and French oak. On the palate flavors of plum and cherry with tobacco, oak, pepper spice, lively acidity. Fine chewy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and an earthy character. Nice! — 3 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Delicious young Ribera Del Duero. Tobacco, dark cherry, leather. One of my favorite RDD producers. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

I thought Les Angelots de Gracia was the second wine of Gracia, the OG “garagiste” producer from Bordeaux. Well, I was today years old when I learned that was not the case, rather it is a unique expression made in the same fashion as Gracia, but highlighting different terroir. Whatever, the results are delicious.

Poured into a decanter about an hour before service. The 2011 Les Angelots de Gracia 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 but beginning to show some vinous qualities with notes of brambles, plums, tobacco, mocha, milk chocolate covered toffee, leather, fertile earth, gentle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose though it’s a little green on the finish (2011 vintage coming through?). But this is a really tasty wine if not on the more lean side…and that’s a compliment. Whether it’s the vintage or restraint or both, this is quite lovely!

For what it’s worth, I have never really sought out Michel Gracia’s elusive wines for two reasons: 1) I wouldn’t like the modern style and 2) they are elusive and expensive. As it turns out, only one of those things are true. These wines are delicious and worth the effort to seek out (and occasionally splurge for). Drink now with an hour decant and enjoy through 2031. — 2 months ago

Martinez

9.0

100% Tempranillo from vineyards in La Horra, La Aguilera and Roa. Aged in oak for 8 months. Quite expressive nose with aromas of red and dark fruit, tobacco and some oaky notes. Fresh, strawberry notes on the palate. Balanced, easy to drink — 5 months ago