Rioja Tempranillo

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  — a month ago

Andrew, Douglas and 6 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2009

Dark berries, a little tobacco, decent minerals — 2 days ago

Tyler liked this

Marqués de Cáceres

Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend

Nice flavours of red berry and oak. — 13 days ago

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2020

Forgive me father, for I have sinned.
I called this Chianti Classico in a blind.
— 22 days ago

Tom, jesus and 2 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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🤣🤣🤣

Baron de Ley

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo

2019 vintage. An excellent Rioja. Would certainly buy again — 15 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistently enjoyable throughout, but best after several hours of air and through Day 3. The wine pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with expressive notes of ripe and dried cherry, plums, toasted coconut, fresh dill, cedar chest, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the fruit is much more tart. The finish is long and tangy. A textbook example of old-school Rioja. Lovely. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — a month ago

Andrew, David and 17 others liked this
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

I always wish i have more Lopez de Heredia in my cellar evertime i look at your reviews. Cheers!
Jay Kline

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@Ceccherini Cristiano lol…I think the same thing. I certainly have some in the cellar but not nearly as deep as I would like. I guess there’s always time, right? 🤣 Regardless, thank you.
Ceccherini Cristiano

Ceccherini Cristiano Influencer Badge

@Jay Kline there's always time, agreed!
You are most welcome

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2016

Had this twice now at Sazon in Santa Fe, NM. Fantastic Tempranillo. Love this wine. — 16 days ago

Ruud, Byron and 2 others liked this

Marqués de Cáceres

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Love this. Nicely balanced that has lots of similarities to a BX w some age. Lead, leather, spice, plums, earthy. Nose is a bit hot. Still, a great value for $26. Buy again. — 10 days ago

Campo Viejo

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2016

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica — 13 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Rioja Rosé Blend 1991

1991 notas de ahumado cítrico cereza — 16 days ago