Chris England

8.9

Mas la Plana is my favourite Cab from Spain 🇪🇸 grown in Penedès. Having had my last 05 last year which was superb I was keen to see if this 30 year old 89 @ €63 would still be alive & to my surprise it is 😁 I still prefer these with 7-12 years of age 😉

📍 Torres Mas la Plana 1989

🏵 89 points

🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon

🍷 Clear ruby with significant bricking at edge (⏩ see Instagram for pic of wine & cork)

👃 Sooty smoked charred oak embers through muted dark berry fruit w/ a musty damp cellar backbone, herbs, prune, leather, mushroom & truffle

👄 Med smooth body of earthy red berry, cherry & faint dark berry fruits w/ a dry mineral & ground mocha undertone

🎯 Med+ earthy dry mineral infused subtle dark & red berry/cherry linger & mocha tone
— 11 hours ago

Howard Grush

9.1

Just about an hour after uncorking the brightness and fruit started emerging. It had a cherry note, especially on the back end. Well balanced and still tannic and chewy. Very enjoyable. — 5 days ago

Daron Watson

9.6

Pulled the cork and the juice smelled and tasted DELI$H ~ I’ve had many great wines, plenty I’ve rated higher, but the pull-n-pour instant gratification AND appropriate drinking time doesn’t happen often ~ it will age effortlessly for years but I’m not sure one “needs” to cellar more — 10 days ago

Colin Cahoon

9.5

Still drinking young and fresh. Bright cherry nose with a hint of char and barnyard funk. On the palate cherry, cranberry, and red fruit starts with spice, black tea, cocoa, tobacco, and leather kicking in mid-palate supported by a mineral backbone. Strong acid builds through the finish. A fabulous medium bodied red with the roundness and smoothness of age that still retains the brilliance of a young crianza. — 12 days ago

with Susan

Amy Huson

9.3

Mmmm this is a tasty one! Lovely aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry and pomegranate with under notes of vanilla, cinnamon, tobacco, and new-car leather. All this plus smooth as silk tannins and luscious acidity made this an incredible pairing for roasted ox-tail. Doesn’t get much better than this! — 7 days ago

Buddy G

9.5

Ready? Imagine pudding wrestling in vanilla. And you're about to make the pin and you realize you need a glass of red. So a fan hands you a fantastic tempranillo and as you take a sip some pudding, a drop of sweat from a burly French female ref all fall into your mouth at the same time. There ya have it. Get at it!! Yeah Suckling! — 7 days ago

with Cindy

Chris England

9.3

94 was a stunning year in Rioja & I’ve never had a bad one so when this cheeky €50 drop appeared on my radar from @gabymeetswine @vilaviniteca I had to get my wine gnawing choppers around this grapeylicious bottle of joy 😉 In a peak place of yummyness after 25 years 👍

📍 Viña Albina Monte Real Gran Reserva 1994

🏵 93-94 points aptly 😁

🍇 Graciano, Mazuelo & Tempranillo

🍷 Deep clear ruby w/ brick edge (scroll ⏩ for pic)

👃 Old smoked oak through a damp musty cellar filled with earthy obliterated cherry mush w/ a cocoa, balsamic, herby & leather whip - expressed in a Zalto Burg glass 👌

👄 Med body of super silky smooth cocoa & balsamic infused red cherry cream oozyness

🎯 Long red cherry linger bathed in slight dry oak, cocoa cream & balsamic splashes
— 14 days ago

Chris England

9.6

This is still my favourite Rioja & vintage at present, worth £80 😍 My 10th try & still a beauty I can’t resist 👍 I exemplifies the pure essence a high quality Rioja 👏

📍 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 2001

▶️ @lariojaaltasa 🤗

🏵 96 points

🍇 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano & 2% Mazuelo

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Smoked oak through mashed earthy cherries covered in vanilla coconut cream, balsamic jam & double caramel choc mocha w/ red liquorice, truffle, prune, date & light spiced herbs #nosetasia

👄 Med body of rich smooth silky creamy dark & red cherry bathed in balsamic goo w/ melted mocha & earthy liquorice

🎯 Long balsamic cherry mocha berry blast w/ a balsamic linger, touch of woody oak & red berry — 6 days ago

Shawn Thompson

8.9

Bold and smooth. Very Merlot like with notes of cocoa, black fruit, black cherry, tobacco and leather. A favourite for the night and paired perfectly with wood fire roasted ribs at Park Distillery in Banff. — 2 days ago

Benjamin Shirk

9.0

Whole Foods, $8

Light Ruby color with an equally light and fruity nose. Easy drinking and light to medium body. Simple unripe strawberry with a mineral aftertaste, slightly acidic but not dry. Very much enjoyed this considering the price, reminds me of summer sunshine! — a day ago