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 — a day ago

Corey Zamora, CSW

9.4

Does this winery ever do wrong? So tasty, and fresh as a daisy. Terrific for the price! — 5 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2003 'Vina Tondonia' Blanco Reserva is a tremendous effort from a challenging vintage. Needing more than 30 minutes in the decanter to be fully expressive, this wine opens to aromas of beeswax, smoky oak, Bartlett pear and slight suggestions of fresh white flowers. This leads to flavors reminiscent of nutmeg, cardamom, cantaloupe, beeswax and green papaya. There is an gorgeous overall range of flavors that persist with an oily texture through the finish. Drink 2019-2030- 93 — 4 days ago

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! — 2 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2009 'Roda I' Rioja Reserva is a compelling blend of 91% Tempranillo and the remainder Graciano. The nose is highly perfumed with rose petals, red cherry candy and sweet toasty oak. The palate is beautifully balanced and shows wonderful concenrtration and elegance with flavors of mocha, black tea, Asian spices, leather and pipe tobacco. Complex and downright decadent, enjoy this fantastic bottling now, or watch it evolve over the next decade or two in the cellar. Drink 2019-2035- 94 — 4 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The 2009 'Viña Cubillo' is a fantastic showing which exudes toasty oak up front with secondary aromatics of rose petals and red cherries. On the palate this impresses with its silky smooth texture, as well as concentreted flavors of red cherries, orange zest and baking spice flavors that connect with marvelous tension. The rich mouthfeel is really outstanding as it continues to impress through the finish. This is a remarkable value from one of the most famous producers in Rioja. Drink 2029-2029- 92 — 3 days ago

Jeff Savigny

9.3

Kitchen sink of flavors, but well integrated and layered with finesse. Just loving this after one hour decant. Would have this again when I can meditate on it outside the Super Bowl noise. — 14 days ago

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
— 9 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! — a day ago

with Cindy

Delectable Wine

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9.0

This classic, bargain-priced red from Rioja displays intense cassis, cherry, espresso and licorice flavors, along with subtle vanilla and woodsmoke nuances. It’s still on the youthful, fruit-dominated side but it opens up quickly and picks up a spicy accent with a little bit of air. $12.00 (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2019) — 6 days ago