Real Academia

Viña Real (CVNE)

Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend

Elegant, balanced, not the strongest example of 68, but subtle fruit, medium length. Delightful. Comfortable slippers on a cold rainy night in Napa. — a month ago

Eric, Laura and 1 other liked this

Santa Rita

Medalla Real Gold Medal Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

This is a tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Red and black fruits on the nose with earth notes and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward.

Showing currants, cooked plums, black cherries, light oak, spices and chocolates.

Medium finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

A good everyday wine and much better than the last time I had this vintage (3 years ago).

14% alcohol by volume.

89 points
— 4 months ago

Martin, Douglas and 5 others liked this

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Rioja Tempranillo 2004

Great anniversary wine at La Cuchara in Baltimore. Beautiful old nose of suede, rich leather, licorice and fig spread, with a silky body, a pale brick red, brown, deep maroon color, a nice acidic tinge, and prominent rich cranberry jam, fresh plum, and leathery notes. — 6 months ago

Viña Real (CVNE)

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Much to be thankful for! This will be a blockbuster in a few years. Still drinking really young. Could easily go 25-30. — 20 days ago

Richard liked this

Valle Real

Corte Fiore Appassimento Red Blend

Sweet smooth fruit yum — 4 months ago

Katie W
with Katie

Royal Oporto (Real Companhia Velha)

Quintas das Carvalhas Reserva Douro 2021

K L
9.1

Good! Total wines Portugal wine. Would get again. Deep fruit but not too dark. Balanced. — 5 months ago

Matt Dill
with Matt

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 6 months ago

Hermes, Ira and 14 others liked this

Viña Real (CVNE)

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Oct 2024: PnP ready in 10 minutes, smooth classic Rioja, good VFM — 4 months ago

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 1998

what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage  — 4 months ago

Andrew, Douglas and 6 others liked this

Royal Oporto (Real Companhia Velha)

Carvalhas Douro Touriga Nacional - Touriga Franca Blend 2019

K L
9.0

Great cheap buy from Total Wine. Pleasantly surprised how good this was and would get again. — 6 months ago

Matt Dill
with Matt