Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent both days. The 2017 Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” pours a deep ruby with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with dark cherries, ripe bruised strawberries, baked apple, hibiscus, toasted coconut, vanilla, new leather and some baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Medium+ alcohol. A lovely pairing with my sort of modern riff on paella for a quick Tuesday evening meal. More please!

Having enjoyed vintages going back to the early 1980’s, I think Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” is one of the last few, true bargains in the wine world. They are classic in the sense that they are unmistakably Rioja and they have the ability to age for decades. It’s very hard for me to think of another wine that is widely available for under $30 that can drink this well and cellar that long. Let’s enjoy the disparity while we can! — a year ago

Bryan Vanderkruk

9.0

Dark dried fruit, leathery, dry, pepper, lots of oak. Delicious. — 3 years ago

with Corrie

Aris ford

10

Got from Maison for $40 - soooo good — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Ruby reddish color, young-looking compared to other reds so far. Opaque. Notes of black fruit, mocha, some earth and a little bit of wood. Rich in the mouth. Given our earlier Rioja bottle, we go back to Spain with guesses. I guessed 90 Unico. This is the Valbueno blend, with grapes from 85/91/96. 94+ — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Very dense in colour - impenetrable. It threw a large crust when decanting. On the nose coffee grounds and savoury black cherry, black plum. Sweetish on the full bodied concentrated palate. The savoury plum comes through with rich earthy flavours. Finishing with grainy tannins. Tempranillo seems perfectly suited to the warm dry conditions of Rioja. I couldn’t imagine Tempranillo showing its best in a cool to cold climate. I guess it does exist but it does seem best suited to warm climates. I just finished an interesting article on what grape varietal lasts the longest. From many tastings over many years Jancis concluded it was Tempranillo over Bordeaux with some old Vega Sicilias seemingly timeless. — 2 years ago

John W

9.2

Dark ruby coloration. On the nose, cherry, cocoa and vanilla. A little anise, cinnamon and cedar wood as well. On the palate, medium - full bodied, blueberry, cherry, minerality, spices, and a medium longish vanilla finish. Tannins still in good force but not overpowering. $70ish at total wine. — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

A blend of wines from the 60’s — 2 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Dark tawny, opaque. Old wine nose with notes of dark fruit, chicory, hazelnut and vanilla. Like earlier in the day, the age of this and the notes mean it could be anything. I go with a guess of 50's Rioja and others are in similar areas. Although this never showed the old Italian barolo descriptors you'd correlate with it, this was a very well made wine and certainly better than the 64 before it. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Before ‘14, last vintage was ‘11, no ‘12 or ‘13. Deep Ruby a blend 70% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano & 10% Mazuelo, aged new French oak for 15 months (‘11 was 24 mos). Ripe red fruit aromas with floral, oak & pepper spice. On palate ripe red fruit flavors, complex with layers of fruit & spice, noting espresso, cacao & licorice. Fine tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, spice and oak. Decant or let sit in the cellar for a while. Nice! Tried several ‘14’s. — 4 years ago

Mark Presswood

9.1

An incredibly smooth tempranillo does not taste as young as it is. Surprising notes of tobacco and dark cherry in a smooth older vintage style. For the $s cannot go wrong — 4 years ago