Chris England

9.6

This is still my favourite Rioja & vintage at present, worth £80 😍 My 10th try & still a beauty I can’t resist 👍 I exemplifies the pure essence a high quality Rioja 👏

📍 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 2001

▶️ @lariojaaltasa 🤗

🏵 96 points

🍇 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano & 2% Mazuelo

🍷 Garnet ruby w/ brick edge

👃 Smoked oak through mashed earthy cherries covered in vanilla coconut cream, balsamic jam & double caramel choc mocha w/ red liquorice, truffle, prune, date & light spiced herbs #nosetasia

👄 Med body of rich smooth silky creamy dark & red cherry bathed in balsamic goo w/ melted mocha & earthy liquorice

🎯 Long balsamic cherry mocha berry blast w/ a balsamic linger, touch of woody oak & red berry — 6 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2009 'Roda I' Rioja Reserva is a compelling blend of 91% Tempranillo and the remainder Graciano. The nose is highly perfumed with rose petals, red cherry candy and sweet toasty oak. The palate is beautifully balanced and shows wonderful concenrtration and elegance with flavors of mocha, black tea, Asian spices, leather and pipe tobacco. Complex and downright decadent, enjoy this fantastic bottling now, or watch it evolve over the next decade or two in the cellar. Drink 2019-2035- 94 — 9 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

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.0

Wow, musty moldy cork, but it was tight. Crazy funk on the open. Meaty so far. Giving it time...

A very deep dark purple starting slightly to bend towards ruby. The nose hasn't budged from open... It's well grilled beef, with A1 sauce. Off putting but I'm curious. Other earthy musty notes. Way in the back is muddled blackberry. Gonna let it go for longer. So far the palate roughly matches the nose...

UPDATE: Came back to this the next day, corked it overnight, then reopened. It did improve, but only marginally.

Final score... 90 points — 5 days ago

Ken Z

9.0

Drank 2/21/19. Tasting event. Tasting pour.

Black cherry, soil, and light oak scents. Flavors of earth and black cherry. Nice balance. Medium finish

3/21/8/5/3 +50 = 90 pts. — a day ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

A stunning wine, the 1997 Valbuena 5° is a simply outstanding Ribera del Duero which is incredible at more than twenty years of age. This has turned out to be a complete success from a challenging vintage in Ribera and is evolving beautifully. This has great earthy character with wild mushroom, peat moss, black cherry compote and coffee grounds and cassis which all come to mind as the aromatics are absolutely seductive. The palate is plush and gorgeously textured, showing polished black tea, leather, black fruits and truffles which all marvelously combine with a bright minerality . This is a stunning wine which is showing remarkably well and will continue to evolve into the next decade. Drink 2019-2033- 96 — 8 days ago

Corey Zamora, CSW

9.4

Does this winery ever do wrong? So tasty, and fresh as a daisy. Terrific for the price! — 10 days ago

Amy Huson

9.3

Mmmm this is a tasty one! Lovely aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry and pomegranate with under notes of vanilla, cinnamon, tobacco, and new-car leather. All this plus smooth as silk tannins and luscious acidity made this an incredible pairing for roasted ox-tail. Doesn’t get much better than this! — 6 days ago

Livio Pastorino

9.4

Buen blend (tempranillo garnacha) rosado de El Coto de la Rioja con D.O.C. de corta maceración, color rosa, fermentación a baja temperatura con aromas a frutos rojos, fresas, grosellas, en boca muy fresco, fruta madura, persistencia media-larga, de buen cuerpo, temperatura de servicio de 7° -8°C, lo acompañamos con platos fríos, quesos, fuentes de zucchinis y champiñones con aceite de oliva, alcaparras, excelente combinación saludos #winelover #pisco #Lima #Peru #winelovers



Libre de virus. www.avg.com — 3 days ago

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