Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: black cherry, plum, some cocoa, dry leaf tobacco, 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 medium+. The alcohol is medium. This is tart and tasty; young and built for age.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend including Bordeaux varieties), Zinfandel (with a decent amount of Petite Sirah, Tempranillo or even Malbec from France, the US, Spain or Argentina. But I think the wood is playing a key role in the tannin here, meaning that I think it spends a lot of time on it. I don’t think it’s all American because it don’t get a bunch of coconut and dill…but this is probably a modern leaning Rioja. So that’s my call. This is Tempranillo from Spain, Rioja, Reserva level and younger, 2019. Boom. This is solid and reliable even though I don’t think it has the personality of Heredia or Pescina. Drink now through 2049. — 2 days ago

Fabio Franchella

9.1

We love Liguria more and more…..and this wine is one reason more - greetings from Gargano / Puglia — 3 years ago

with Kathrin

Ed Fullman

9.2

Great with Salmon — 4 years ago

Peter Sultan

8.9

For their first ‘organic’ wine, they tilted more to Garnacha & not the Rioja typical Tempranillo. It’s an odd experience, since I’m so used to drinking the latter from Rioja. This has more of a bass note with some floral edges- I like it, but just not in a Rioja exuberant way. — 5 years ago

Steve Rura

9.2

Greetings from Zürich — 5 years ago

Pooneet K

9.0

Really a nice and quite interesting wine from one of the Rioja old school stalwarts. I can guess why someone would guess white burgundy blind, but this has a bit more of a sensation of body - almost a leesy grippiness (not in a bad way at all). For the price just a very enjoyable white with great complexity, mouthfeel, and balanced acidity. — 6 years ago

leon egozi

10

Merry Christmas from España — 7 years ago

John Davidson

9.7

This is the best bottle of wine I’ve had from my cellar in years. Nearly perfect. Bought it in 2008 for $30 and one of my great finds. Good lord it was just divine. I’m sure there have been better vintages but I can’t imagine it. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine is a deep ruby color with a slightly purple hue; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black and red fruit: Ranier cherries and blackberries along with some dried earth, soft wood notes, some faint baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (that seem to build) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and comes off a touch reserved in the end. Initial conclusions: this could be a Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Grenache-based blend or Bordeaux-blend from either Spain, Italy, France, the United States or Australia but the fruit doesn’t impress so I’m leaning away from the New World. I don’t get enough candied fruit to put me in the Southern Rhone and I think the oak treatment seems a bit liberal for that. And if this Sangiovese, I would be pissed. So I’m calling Tempranillo, from Spain, Rioja, Reserva, 2018. Daaaaang. I was close. Drink now with patience and enjoy through 2036.
— 2 years ago

Chris A

8.9

A wonderful, smooth & subtle Rioja. Bold…but builds up to a crescendo towards the middle half of the sip. Does not overpower, and tame enough to enjoy with everything from a light salad to a good meal. Superb glass that lingers with a right amount of tobacco, red fruit and chocolate. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

A nice and easy drinking red wine from Rioja. Showing red fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, darkAsua Crianza 2016 Rioja chocolates, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Nicely balanced with mild complexity.

This 5 year old Crianza is very approachable now. Tangy and enjoyable by itself or with food.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$20. — 5 years ago

Kelley Gossler

8.9

Very nice rioja from binnys about 13/14. Nice body and almost hints of tropical fruits — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.0

The 2017 Bela, an entry-level 100% Tempranillo from the historic CVNE winery, is a tremendous value. It delivers loads of juicy cherry and dark fruit character, with sexy floral and spice notes and harmonious tannins that allow it to be enjoyed now. $18.00 (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2020) — 6 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.6

Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 somewhere from the 60’s — 6 months ago

Samuel Wong

10

Love this beer from Spain. Wonderful drink with friends when watching Euro 2024. — 2 years ago

Francisco Perez

9.0

Wow! Very nice red blend from Cataluña Spain. Dense dark plum. Ripe laid back tannins. Great with healthy vegetable soup on a chilly night. Viva España! — 4 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Richly textured, mineral, wonderful saline wine. Some fresh and preserved citrus and crushed stone fruit, plus lightly toasted almond notes coming through too. Wonderful oceanic mineral bitterness from the sherry addition on the finish. I intend to buy a case to forget about for 20 years.

This is the best $25 bottle of white you could buy for immediate enjoyment or cellaring. — 5 years ago

Andrew Liguori

9.0

Complex nuttiness like a mole sauce from the sherry, baked apples, faint kerosene, saline and weighty, waxy mouthfeel. Great with fish tacos — 5 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

8.9

Cool label. Looks like a classy ancient place. Smells ripe. Some licorice and cherry cola on the nose. Hint of fresh Italian herbs. Maybe some lavender. Flavor is complex. Woodsy with the cedar/sauna thing they do so well over there. White pepper. Dry and chewy. It’s got all the right flavors I expect for a good Temp from España. Lingers with a great black licorice and berry compote finish. — 6 years ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

Deep and dark for a Granacha (aka Grenache). Smells lovely. Clean, fresh water meets berry patch. Lightest of barny element in the nose too. Flavor is fruit driven and oh so clean. Bitterness is prefect. Like cherry juice and fresh blackberries, but not as sweet. Plenty of smoke and woodsy-ness with the fruits & berries. Just lovely, affordable, high quality wine from España! — 7 years ago