La Bodega

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2005

There is still more time to build complexity on this gorgeous wine. I'm drinking my bottles too quickly, but it's hard not to when it's this good! — 5 days ago

Zach, Tom and 5 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2012

This is a favourite & we picked up a few bottles to see how age changes it. This is our last bottle and age has done it well.

Time has made it weightier. The wine is real dry & has a bit of a walnut flavour. In its depths, you can tease out a hint of sweetness.

We need to find more.
— 23 days ago

Gillian Koh
with Gillian
Peter, Pinotman and 1 other liked this
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

It sings to me too… just the price of admission has radically altered over the years!@Vin d’Ottawa
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

I am surprised that you did not rate this higher. I have an older version - they tend to get oxidized - hence the Walnut - there are folks who hate that - but i think it is different and brilliant!
Vin d’Ottawa

Vin d’Ottawa

@Peter Sultan it is pricier these days.
@Pinotman /// Andreas for me this is a special wine

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Getting ready to leave France, so let's go out with a bang! It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, black cherries, tobacco, cedar, light vegetables, licorice, chocolates, coffee and light peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cherries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, light vegetables, black pepper, tobacco leaf, earth and black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8 year old Merlot based blend is still very young. In most vintages, it is a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend, but in the 2017 vintage it was a little different.

Spicy and entertaining. Well balanced and complex, but a little tight and restraint right now. Much earthier than I expected it to be.

Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.

A good food wine right now, that will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 56% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (70% New) French oak barrels for 18 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$450.
— a day ago

Dave, Jose and 13 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Haven’t had in ages. Plenty of dill, vanilla, & red fruits. — 7 days ago

Tom, jesus and 7 others liked this
Jay Kline

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One of the best wines for the money, anywhere.
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

High praise indeed @Jay Kline ! Was my intro to Rioja several decades ago. It is reliable @Peter van den Besselaar .

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

another great smooth delivery of Tempranillo and Garnacha. Rioja alive and kicking all over this bottle .. — 11 days ago

Tyler liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Rosé Champagne 2009

Very enjoyable Champagne but the extra cost over the blanc isnt worth it. — 20 days ago

Scott@Mister, Ira and 17 others liked this

Marqués de Murrieta

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Exceptional interpretation of Ribera del Duero — 12 days ago

Ted, Bob and 2 others liked this

Campo Viejo

Rioja Tempranillo 2021

Classic Spanish flag color of yellow with red writing. Good brick red color. Just a hint of a purple core. Aroma is stones and red/black cherry cobblers-pies. Slightest of linseed oils. Flavors are bright, fresh Temp. Crunchy and dry. Just a hint of fennel or oregano. Has a classic feel and flavor. Would be great for watching El Clasico. — 11 days ago

Douglas liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

If you know, you know.

Just eying the bottle evokes a sense of mysticism—these are increasingly rare sightings, relics of a winemaking philosophy nearly lost to time. Opening it after a recent visit to the winery feels familiar, almost fated.

The color holds strong despite its 20+ years, with a core of garnet that defies its age. On the nose, memory takes over: the scent of the underground cellar, the mold-covered walls, the rustic perfume of wood and brick. Then come the classics notes—dried rose petals, red berries, and a whisper of spice.

The palate surprises with more volume than the bottle’s vintage muster’s. Lively red fruit mingles with savory earth and warm spice, carried by silken tannins. The finish lingers with a trace of wet oak, grounding the experience in place and time.

This is a wine of lineage, character, and quiet perseverance—a style too uncommon today. Most importantly, it was opened, shared, and deeply enjoyed.
— 2 months ago

Paul, Dave and 10 others liked this