Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Valserrano – Tempranillo & Graciano – 2019
Rioja DOCa – Rioja Alavesa, Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A classic Rioja Reserva blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano, aged in oak. The 2019 vintage leans slightly riper and more concentrated than 2018, offering darker fruit and a touch more structure without sacrificing Valserrano’s signature elegance.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, plum, and blackberry compote layered with vanilla, cocoa, sweet tobacco, and a hint of dried herbs. Subtle licorice and baking spice linger on the finish.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with polished tannins and more grip than the 2018. Balanced acidity keeps the wine fresh, while the finish is smooth, long, and quietly complex.

Food Pairings
Lamb chops, Iberian pork, roasted mushrooms, aged Manchego, or paella with chorizo.

Verdict
A refined yet slightly richer expression of Valserrano Reserva. Dark fruit, subtle earth, and graceful spice come together with impressive balance and drinkability. Classic Rioja with modern finesse.

Did You Know?
The Valserrano estate, founded in 1880, is still family-run and among the pioneers of Rioja Alavesa. Higher elevation and limestone soils are key to the region’s lifted acidity and refined tannin profile. — 7 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Star bright yellow gold. Inviting nose of quince and white pepper. Medium full palate confirms the nose adding an earthy mineral (at once) note all supported by firm (medium plus) acidity. White rose(!) on the lengthy, palate continuing finish. This 50/50 blend of Gouvelo and Voisinho makes an excellent upper entrée into Portuguese whites; a category most have yet to explore. It's a great pair for roasted fowl or pork and of course most Iberian fare. Drink now through 2026. — 3 years ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on May 26, 2024 at Iberian Pig in Nashville with Jay; and again on September 22, 2025 at Jay’s house with Jay]

81% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14% Merlot; and 5% Petit Verdot. Blackberry and black plum fruit, with notes of pencil shavings, graphite, licorice, violets and cocoa. Silky wine. — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.3

This was my first experience with the Iberian Godello grape. I expected something quite fruity from this wine, but was surprised to find a nose of lanolin, sage and a savory nuttiness. The palate is just as intriguing, with savory herbs and a distant grapefruit flavor in the background. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.3

I loved the 2010 so couldn’t wait to try the €66 2009 that I nabbed from @gabymeetswine @vilaviniteca 😁 Again in a lovely box & a delicious wine that’s softer than the 2010 but yumbags 👍 If you want oomph (I’m talking slap on the bottom) go 2010 if you want elegance (Like a silky butt massage) go 2009 😉

📍 Pago de Carraovejas El Anejón 2009

🏵 93 points

🍇 93% Tempranillo, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon & 1% Merlot

🍷 Deep opaque ruby

👃 Dark plum, cherry & soft blackcurrant through herb infused smoked oak w/ raspberry, vanilla, blueberry, soggy earth, cedar, mocha & light liquorice

👄 Med body of smooth creamy spiced dark fruits & raspberry bathed in rock minerals w/ a cocoa backbone that’s nicely balanced & fine vs a punch in the smackers

🎯 Med+ mineral infused dark fruit & raspberry mocha kiss w/ a blueberry tickle

🧀 Paired with Oinktastic Iberian cheeses 😍 — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.5

A wine I’ve been eager to try & found cheaper in 🇪🇸 vs 🇬🇧 @ €140 - Very Côte Rotie esq & a rather superbly made 🇺🇸 wine 😉 oh & Mrs E enjoyed in the hotel hot tub 😁 as you’ll see if you scroll on Instagram ⏩

📍 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard 2013

🏵 95 points w/ more on age potential

💥 13.8% ABV

🍇 Syrah co-fermented with 5% Viognier

🍷 Opaque blackened ruby

👃 Loaded with smoked dry cured Iberian ham, cherry cola, dirty muddy piggy 🥓 & rock minerals w/ peppered raspberry liquorice, cocoa, olive tapenade, oak & black berries - just fabulous 😍

👄 Med+ body of chocolate infused blackberry & dark spiced cherry w/ wild sharp raspberry & herbs in med acidity

🎯 Long blackberry/raspberry/cherry mocha boom boom w/ a touch of dryness
— 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Bodegas Muga – Aro 2019
Rioja DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A prestige cuvée from Bodegas Muga, Aro represents one of the most refined modern expressions of Rioja. Crafted in small quantities from Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the 2019 vintage balances juicy fruit with structure, elegance, and longevity. (Educational note: Muga ferments with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and ages Aro in French oak, blending traditional Rioja methods with modern precision.)

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red berries (raspberry, strawberry, and red plum) lead the way, framed by subtle blackberry and cassis. Layers of vanilla, cocoa, and spice from oak intertwine with floral and mineral notes.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins. Decanted for 2 hours, it opened beautifully — long, elegant, and persistent, with a finish that shows both fruit purity and savory depth.

Food Pairings
Pairs well with roasted lamb, Iberian pork, or grilled steak. Also excellent with manchego cheese or mushroom-based dishes.

Verdict
A superb Rioja — juicy, refined, and complex. The 2019 Aro is a treat that shows both immediate charm and long-term potential. A true collector’s Rioja with class and depth. 🍷

Did You Know?
The name “Aro” is a nod to the hoops (aros) that bind the staves of Rioja’s traditional oak barrels, symbolizing craftsmanship and unity.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Produced in limited quantities, Aro is one of Rioja’s most sought-after wines — a modern icon that rivals Spain’s greatest reds. — 9 months ago

Konrad Ziegler

8.9

At the Iberian Pig in Decatur — 4 years ago

Philip Patston

9.6

Love it. But first a preamble.
Way back 25 years ago Spanish and Portuguese wines were an amazing bargain. They were the real deal old world wines. But then it changed and we started getting Iberian peninsula wines which were weird fruity new world things. So it was a thrill to find a wine all in Portuguese, not one designed for this market. Label not in English . The real thing. Blend of Tinto Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Jean and Alfrichiero. Earthy barnyard. Terroir. Superb. — 6 years ago

KellyJo Smith

9.0

Iberian pig - Buckhead — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.7

The 2001 Clos Mogador was stunning aged drank in 2017 but this 2013 @ £65, now £80-£100 as a 98 Parker pointer, has massive potential 😁 Beautiful now but give this 10+yrs & you have a fab priced 98+ point wine in the making 😍 28k bottles so buy if you can 👍

📍 Clos Mogador 2013

🏵 97 points w/ 99+ potential I’d say

🍇 49% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon & 16% Syrah 😍

🍷 Opaque deep ruby w/ purple hue

👃 Rich mocha infused spiced dark cherry/berry bang w/ minerals, pencil lead, herbs, soggy earth, raspberry coulis, hint of prune, soft smoked oak & crushed violets

👄 Med+ to Full bodied ripe creamy smooth dark berry/cherry oozy chocy mocha infused silky boom choc raspberry gateaux fest w/ a rock mineral stoney backbone

🎯 Long deep dark fruits & cocoa linger w/ a raspberry slap & mineral kiss - choc cherry gateaux in a glass 💥 😍

🧀 Paired w/ aged Manchego & Iberian ham 🐷 — 7 years ago

Velma Cooper

9.3

Velma had this 8 years ago

Chris England

9.5

We wanted a good steak so we were recommended El Nationale La Brasserie 😁 this bottle was €155 in restaurant & retails €78 - quick notes before Mrs E beat me with the 🥩🤣

📍 Finca El Bosque 2014

💥 14.5% ABV Rioja 🤫

🥩 Paired w/ a huge €156 steak 😱 (scroll for food pics on Instagram ⏩) & was a perfect match 😍 but a scary 🥩 for Mrs E 🤣

🏵 94 points

🍇 100% Tempranillo

🍷 Opaque blackened ruby

👃 Smokey light oak dark cherry & peppered plum w/ balsamic, Iberian cured meats & minted liquorice

👄 Full bodied dark rich creamy cherry & blackcurrant w/ olive tapenade, balsamic & raspberry liquorice

🎯 Long dry dark cherry & olive tapenade balsamic goo coating

— 8 years ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

Dry white port, brandy-esque. Up since 5am but when in Portugal, might as well do a port tasting at 4pm...with black Iberian 🐷 — a year ago

Byron Hewett

9.7

Another beauty. 45% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional, the rest is Tinto Roriz and Tinto Cao. Powerful rich and delicious, but it seemed a bit lighter than the Unico and a lot lighter than the Pingus. Decanted 5 hours before serving. Some of the big guns from the Iberian Peninsula! — 2 years ago

Riccardo L.

9.0

Excellent. Impossible to pluck blind. Nicely balanced. Tastes Iberian. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Dark Ruby in colour. Aromas of cherry and raspberry (Tempranillo) with Plum and Spice (Touriga). On the palate Raspberry pie with spice. So well balanced with medium plus intensity and length. Soft resolved Tannins. Very impressive. As mentioned in other notes Steve Pannell is probably the master of alternative varieties in Australia. He has nailed this Tempranillo/Touriga blend. Will buy regularly. Tasted again 29 weeks later on 4th October 2020 with similar notes. I haven’t researched if Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional are common blend on the Iberian Peninsula but they do appear to be quite complimentary - like Cabernet Merlot and Cabernet Shiraz (works well in Australia). Medium bodied. Dropped a point to 94 points. — 6 years ago

Jenks

9.1

100% Alvarelhão. Had to look this one up- an Iberian port grape, grown in Alta Mesa, SE of Napa. 12.5%. 100% spontaneous fermentation, 100% stems, 20 day maceration. all stainless. Hipster level is off the charts. FH continues to slay. — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.2

I really like the Sizeranne but prefer the 2011 over this £69 2012 - I’d leave this alone 5 years although it’s drinking well young 😁

📍 M Chapoutier Sizeranne Hermitage 2012

🏵 92 points

🍇 Syrah

🍷 Deep dark ruby & slightly cloudy as unfiltered

👃 Heavy rock minerals through smokey peppered Iberian dried ham & deep soggy piggy soil into cherry cola w/ herbs, blackberry & raspberry

👄 Med body of slight dry mineral loaded blackberry w/ raspberry, liquorice, cocoa & earthy cherry hints

🎯 Med dry black & ref berry mineral soft mouthful w/ an earthy linger — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.3

I picked up this Magnum of Palmer for £200 recently 😱 from a shop closing down RRP £430+ so I was a happy boy 😊 Not as rich in depth as top vintages but a beautiful elegant Margaux nevertheless 😉

📍 Chateau Palmer 2003 Margaux Magnum

🏵 93 points vs the pros who say 89 - really? Did they try the same wine 🤣

🧀 Paired with Iberian cheeses 👍

🍇 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot & 12% Petit verdot

🍷 Deep opaque ruby

👃 Smokey oak through blackcurrant & dark plum w/ minerals, cracked pencil, gravel, tar, soggy earth, herbs, mocha & blackberry liquorice - yumtastic 😍

👄 Med body of smooth earthy mineral infused blackcurrant & blackberry w/ slight butter mocha & red liquorice

🎯 Med+ touch dry minerality bathed in dark berry fruits w/ a stoney mocha finale
— 7 years ago