La Rioja, Spain
Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine.
Last Sunday lunch with Roast Lamb. A 20 year old Rioja fitted the bill nicely. A blend of 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. Aged in new French and American oak for 24 months. Aromatics of tobacco leaf, plum, ashphalt and a bit of tar. A medicinal note the following night. The palate is medium to full bodied with berry, plum and liquorice. Resolved Tannins - quite fluid. This was Wine Spectators No. 1 wine for 2013 and now drinking at its peak but could go on for another 5 years on the evidence of this superb wine.
Feb 25th, 2024Oak Barriques in evidence with vanillin notes also showing plums and tobacco with a dark chocolate note. Quiet dense on the palate with dried cherry, red licorice, and an overall sweetness. A little different to my note of September 2018 where I talk about sweet and sour although that is still there to a degree. A bit weird this one - too famous for what it delivers. In the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100 this was Wine #1 I will leave last bottle to at least 2024 on its 20th Birthday.
Oak Barriques in evidence with vanillin notes also showing plums and tobacco with a dark chocolate note. Quiet dense on the palate with dried cherry, red licorice, and an overall sweetness. A little different to my note of September 2018 where I talk about sweet and sour although that is still there to a degree. A bit weird this one - too famous for what it delivers. In the 2013 Wine Spectator Top 100 this was Wine #1 I will leave last bottle to at least 2024 on its 20th Birthday.
Feb 2nd, 2021Tobacco and Leathery notes - very earthy and savoury. An intriguing wine showing the Yin and the Yang of both sweet and savoury on the palate in the red cherry spectrum. Full of life in its 14th year. Soft supple persistent tannins. A great Rioja with another 5 years in it. The No. 1 Wine in 2013 Wine Spectators Top 100.
Tobacco and Leathery notes - very earthy and savoury. An intriguing wine showing the Yin and the Yang of both sweet and savoury on the palate in the red cherry spectrum. Full of life in its 14th year. Soft supple persistent tannins. A great Rioja with another 5 years in it. The No. 1 Wine in 2013 Wine Spectators Top 100.
Sep 5th, 2018This Wine is summed up by Tobacco Leaf Liquorice Plum and Leather. 90% Temperanillo 10 % Graciano. Very savoury and dusty-a delicious red from Rioja. Wine Spectator says drink till 2024. Should drink more Spanish Reds.
This Wine is summed up by Tobacco Leaf Liquorice Plum and Leather. 90% Temperanillo 10 % Graciano. Very savoury and dusty-a delicious red from Rioja. Wine Spectator says drink till 2024. Should drink more Spanish Reds.
Nov 26th, 2017Coconut butter, vanilla, touch of fruit. Maybe some cherry.
I want to not be a hipster fuck, this once, and question or uphold the choice of this wine as the Speculator No. 1 wine but at the end of the glass I say: meh. It's red, wet, and alcoholic. Woulda called it as Washington State Tempranillo.
Coconut butter, vanilla, touch of fruit. Maybe some cherry.
I want to not be a hipster fuck, this once, and question or uphold the choice of this wine as the Speculator No. 1 wine but at the end of the glass I say: meh. It's red, wet, and alcoholic. Woulda called it as Washington State Tempranillo.
Intensity, mix of savory grilled herb, tobacco, and fruit. Can't wait to see how this opens over the meal.
Intensity, mix of savory grilled herb, tobacco, and fruit. Can't wait to see how this opens over the meal.
2 people found it helpfulJan 28th, 2014
Just beautiful and elegant. Very #msclassic #rioja #delayeddelectable
Just beautiful and elegant. Very #msclassic #rioja #delayeddelectable
Nov 28th, 2015
Young. Needs time. Closed opened after a while but still needs ten years
Young. Needs time. Closed opened after a while but still needs ten years
Nov 20th, 2015Gorgeous example of this great companies craft.
2004
Gorgeous example of this great companies craft.
2004
Very good rioja, good structure, earthy elements, beautiful color. But wine of the year last year? Think not.
Very good rioja, good structure, earthy elements, beautiful color. But wine of the year last year? Think not.
Nov 18th, 2014
