La Rioja, Spain
Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days; consistent throughout with very little evolution. The cork basically disintegrated when trying to open. The 2009 Gran Reserva pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving gradually towards a rust colored rim. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated red fruits: Bing cherry, mulberries, spiced plum, cumin, dill, Balsamico, chocolate chip banana bread, toasted coconut, leather, cigar box, dry earth and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory and super delicious. What a drop dead gorgeous Gran Reserva from Hermanos Pecina. This drinks well from the pop and pour opens up considerably with air so decanting 30min before would be advisable. Enjoy through 2039+. The cork was doing its job as it was only partially saturated, it just came apart in little pieces. I have several remaining bottles and I’ll plan on using an Ah-So or Durand with the next bottle. A stunning, ultra-traditional Rioja Tinto.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over three days; consistent throughout with very little evolution. The cork basically disintegrated when trying to open. The 2009 Gran Reserva pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving gradually towards a rust colored rim. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and desiccated red fruits: Bing cherry, mulberries, spiced plum, cumin, dill, Balsamico, chocolate chip banana bread, toasted coconut, leather, cigar box, dry earth and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory and super delicious. What a drop dead gorgeous Gran Reserva from Hermanos Pecina. This drinks well from the pop and pour opens up considerably with air so decanting 30min before would be advisable. Enjoy through 2039+. The cork was doing its job as it was only partially saturated, it just came apart in little pieces. I have several remaining bottles and I’ll plan on using an Ah-So or Durand with the next bottle. A stunning, ultra-traditional Rioja Tinto.
Apr 21st, 2024
Tannic, but easy drinking style. Dark fruit, oak, violets, medium finish. Will drink well for another ten years but doesn't feel especially long-lasting. Delicious, but a bit simple.
Tannic, but easy drinking style. Dark fruit, oak, violets, medium finish. Will drink well for another ten years but doesn't feel especially long-lasting. Delicious, but a bit simple.
3 people found it helpfulNov 28th, 2016
It was Weston’s hosting today for the Wednesday Wine Committee and probably the most informative lunch to date. Though everything was tasted “blind” as usual, we were all given a list of grapes to choose from for the whites and the reds, since they were all meant to be very similar.
My red of the day and probably my overall wine of the day. I love Rioja wines. We knew up front there was a Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and a Grenache. Could tell from a mile away this was the Tempranillo. American oak was so easily detected with that coconut and sweet dill nose. Lovely menthol, black cherry tart and herbal spice. Give it a few more years. ✔️
It was Weston’s hosting today for the Wednesday Wine Committee and probably the most informative lunch to date. Though everything was tasted “blind” as usual, we were all given a list of grapes to choose from for the whites and the reds, since they were all meant to be very similar.
My red of the day and probably my overall wine of the day. I love Rioja wines. We knew up front there was a Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and a Grenache. Could tell from a mile away this was the Tempranillo. American oak was so easily detected with that coconut and sweet dill nose. Lovely menthol, black cherry tart and herbal spice. Give it a few more years. ✔️
Still incredibly young. Oak overpowers at this point, but no doubt there's the stuffing to keep this going for 10+ more.
Still incredibly young. Oak overpowers at this point, but no doubt there's the stuffing to keep this going for 10+ more.
1 person found it helpfulSep 17th, 2014Out of magnum. Feeling young still and could use more time in bottle. Delicious though and great solid core of fruit with a fringe of savory notes
Out of magnum. Feeling young still and could use more time in bottle. Delicious though and great solid core of fruit with a fringe of savory notes
Dec 25th, 2014Old school. Really solid. Extended bottle aging, large American casks, Lopez style.
Old school. Really solid. Extended bottle aging, large American casks, Lopez style.
Nov 6th, 2014
Reataurant Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián, Spain
Reataurant Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián, Spain
Jun 8th, 2014
