Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2014 Reserva pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe red fruits, Morello cherry, dill, green olives, horse blanket, old wood and dry organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. A super honest and traditional Rioja; a wine of character. It’s good on its own and even better with a variety of food. Drink now through 2034. — a day ago

James Ghent

9.0

Very sharp spicy notes to begin but mellowed — 7 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Delicious young Ribera Del Duero. Tobacco, dark cherry, leather. One of my favorite RDD producers. — 9 months ago

Donald Williams

9.4

Perfect with pork and clams and chorizo. — 15 days ago

with Bonnie

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

100% Tempranillo from young vines, aged 6 months in French oak and 6 months in American oak, deep Ruby color with aromas of fruit, spices and sweet floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with cacao and black pepper. Firm approachable tannins, medium finish ending with fruit, spice and floral mineral character. Drink now! — 3 months ago

Nishith Jobanputra

9.0

Big, well-rounded and balanced Tempranillo. Reveler. — 8 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. — 10 months ago

Neal Ferry

9.0

Dam good Tempy — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Named after family’s original parcel, “Locartas” is a highly expressive ambassador for the Güímar valley’s distinctive volcanic sands. The blend comprises eight individual parcels throughout the valley, planted nearly entirely to Listán Blanco (with 2-3% Albillo Criollo). Vinified in stainless steel and aged for six months in 90% steel and 10% French oak. Medium lemon color, aromas of fruits and nutty notes. Flavors of ripe apple and apricot, medium+ finish ending with fruit and savory salinity character. — 3 months ago

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. — 8 months ago