Marqués de Tomares

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2015

9.4

Big pastry guy as you can see. This baby never stays empty.

The wine seller calls these grapes “happy grapes.”

Plummy, rich, dark, sweet like licorice and cedar. A forest perfume of pine.

They’re definitely happy because I’m happy. This is a succulent, rich wine. A lot to enjoy. A good rouse between tannins and acid on the palate, in a good way, like an entertaining joust, a rumble in the ring, or the bull and the toreador. This is the downs I imagine Hemingway drinking from the bottle at a spontaneous picnic on the Spanish countryside in his real life The Sun Also Rises.

Dry, but not leaving you puckered and wanting more, just the right balance with a creamy mouthfeel of silken roses to follow, lingering on the palate like the twirl of the toreador’s cape in the ring. — a year ago

Severn, Sharon and 1 other liked this

Marqués del Real Tesoro

Almirante Oloroso Sherry Jerez Palomino

Ruby Yao

9.0

Really nice sherry that goes with venison — 4 years ago

Marqués de Murrieta

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1959

Conrad Green

9.5

Incredibly youthful. Fresh and sappy blue fruit with real zest and depth. Loads going on here and a long, polished finish. A later release. And an immaculate bottle. Years ahead — 6 years ago

with Chris, Matt and 1 other

Paul, Keith and 12 others liked this

Marqués de Griñón

Caliza Dominio de Valdepusa Syrah Petit Verdot 2013

Jason Brater

9.0

Really nice red blend. The petition Verdot is actually quite evident at the initial pour. Continued to open up into a real nice, layered red. Plenty of fruit and some white pepper and cedar notes. — 3 years ago

Ron, Sharon and 8 others liked this

Marqués de Murrieta

Capellanía Blanco Rioja Viura

Jensen

9.0

A real funky white Rioja! — 3 years ago

Tesoro Della Regina

Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2016

Robert Howey

9.0

Damn the 8.5 ratings - this is a complex, lovely Chianti Classico with plum, cherry, leather, violet, and licorice notes - nicely balanced. A real delight and wonderful value. — 5 years ago