Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

The 2014 'La Cueva del Contador' is an utterly compelling Rioja. Immediately, you are drawn to the inky color, which is followed by highly perfumed aromatics with amazing range. Nuances of black tea, Asian spices, blackberry cobbler and milk chocolate all marvelously come together in the glass. The palate is seductive and deep, offering a generous, silky mouthfeel, which is layered with lavors of wild blackberry jam, mocha, anise, orange zest and hints of dried sage that thoroughly impress. This is a complete wine made by the talented Benjamin Romeo, which looks to have an exceedingly long life ahead. Drink 2019-2040- 96 — 3 days ago

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) — 10 days ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

From Ballandean/Stanthorpe district in Queensland (the Granite Belt). Very earthy, savoury, leathery aromas. Dense crimson in colour. M plus bodied with savoury Cherry and Liquorice flavours. Being a Joven, made for earlier consumption. — 14 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2014 'Numanthia' Toro is a stunning wine that is already offing wonderful appeal. While it needs a bit of air contact, the wine shows gorgoeus aromas of ripe dark fruits on the nose, particularly dark cherry and roasted dates most dominant. The silky mouthfeel glides through the mid-palate as this shows a distinct dusty character, and notable decadence, with black forest Cake, wild mushrooms, espresso bean and toffee flavors that ad excellent range. Downright delicious now, this great Toro also has the stuffing to cellar well for the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2033- 93 — 3 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
— 13 days ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.2

This didn't blow me away. On par with far less expensive Gran Riservas.

92 points — 5 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2015 San Roman is gorgeous right now. Following extended air contact, the wine begins to opens with a ripe dark fruit bouquet with toasty oak, white rose and milk chocolate shavings which all build in th glass. On the palte this displays a wonderful combination of tension and viscosity. Blueberry Coulis, blackberry pie, coffee grounds and dark chocolate flavors all come to mind. Complex and seductive, this will have an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 2019-2030- 93 — 3 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! — 5 days ago

with Cindy

David MacMillan

9.0

Great wine for the price, selected by people who know what they are doing (ie not me). Not as structured as Rioja but still a lot of complexity for its age.Tempranillo from just outside of Madrid. Restaurant hierbabeuna on a hillside overlooking Toledo......beats working — 11 days ago

Alexander Vadas

9.4

Superb wine with grace, mineral texture and fruit. Could age easily. Cousin to cornas — 7 days ago