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
Smokin’ good! Fresh, but complex. Will age for years. — 5 months ago
Much to be thankful for! This will be a blockbuster in a few years. Still drinking really young. Could easily go 25-30. — 23 days ago
Bois et café! — 3 months ago
Sweet smooth fruit yum — 4 months ago
Oct 2024: PnP ready in 10 minutes, smooth classic Rioja, good VFM — 4 months ago
Aged for 14 months in new oak barrels 28% American and the rest French. Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruit, floral, spice and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of plum, blueberry and cherry with licorice and vanilla spice, well balanced. Soft fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, mineral and slight oaky tones. Very Nice! — 3 months ago
Good! Total wines Portugal wine. Would get again. Deep fruit but not too dark. Balanced. — 5 months ago
Paul Woolls
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