Mason Balistreri 
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
9.0
These sort of wines really need decanted. So much dusty old wood notes need to blow off but when it does, it gets really nice and layered dark fruits with balanced oak.
These sort of wines really need decanted. So much dusty old wood notes need to blow off but when it does, it gets really nice and layered dark fruits with balanced oak.
4 people found it helpfulMar 6th, 2015
An American oak bomb. Toasted coconut, dill, leather and a beautiful core of sweet red fruit. A great traditional style Rioja.
An American oak bomb. Toasted coconut, dill, leather and a beautiful core of sweet red fruit. A great traditional style Rioja.
1 person found it helpfulMar 8th, 2016
Really?! Crazy day with crazy wines. I'm in love. Truly truly in love with Spain. Thanks to Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva 2005 magnum. Dark dried berries, cinnamon, tobacco leaves, whet forest, mushroom... Great and complex. Balanced, well structured with smooth tannins and long aftertaste. Drink now, it's ready and you deserve it.
Really?! Crazy day with crazy wines. I'm in love. Truly truly in love with Spain. Thanks to Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva 2005 magnum. Dark dried berries, cinnamon, tobacco leaves, whet forest, mushroom... Great and complex. Balanced, well structured with smooth tannins and long aftertaste. Drink now, it's ready and you deserve it.
1 person found it helpfulSep 15th, 2015
When I saw the Gran Reserva from MdR I had to try it, especially from 2005.
As hoped it had a heavy powerful nose of pure Rioja, plummy, cigar box, vanilla, strong fruit, earth, musty and showing good age, all the wonderful elements you expect in endless amounts.
The palate is pure elegance, it glides across the palate, smooth, medium bodied, glossy with highly polished finesse, alluring and enveloping. The tannin waits to the last possible moment and bring the finish to glorious completion.
When I saw the Gran Reserva from MdR I had to try it, especially from 2005.
As hoped it had a heavy powerful nose of pure Rioja, plummy, cigar box, vanilla, strong fruit, earth, musty and showing good age, all the wonderful elements you expect in endless amounts.
The palate is pure elegance, it glides across the palate, smooth, medium bodied, glossy with highly polished finesse, alluring and enveloping. The tannin waits to the last possible moment and bring the finish to glorious completion.
1 person found it helpfulMay 25th, 2015
Wine of the day IMO on day 1 of the WSET level 3 week. Deep garnet in Color with notes of dried fruits and hint of cloves. Dusty. Dried fruits with spicy meaty notes on palate with evidence of oak. Very good wine which could go on.
Wine of the day IMO on day 1 of the WSET level 3 week. Deep garnet in Color with notes of dried fruits and hint of cloves. Dusty. Dried fruits with spicy meaty notes on palate with evidence of oak. Very good wine which could go on.
Jul 18th, 2016
After 20 months in barrel and 16 in bottle this Rioja is subtle, creamy but still packs a punch.
After 20 months in barrel and 16 in bottle this Rioja is subtle, creamy but still packs a punch.
Sep 18th, 2013
Baita vinho. 16 anos de guarda
Baita vinho. 16 anos de guarda
Oct 6th, 2021
Decanted and oh joy.
Nov 25th, 2019
Soft tannins, full body, not fruitforward or ripefruits by any means. A little boring on the palate, not very complex at all. What I like about this wine is the texture—silky smooth, but then again, it doesn’t linger as long as I’d like it to. Overall, pretty good wine for the price point.
Soft tannins, full body, not fruitforward or ripefruits by any means. A little boring on the palate, not very complex at all. What I like about this wine is the texture—silky smooth, but then again, it doesn’t linger as long as I’d like it to. Overall, pretty good wine for the price point.
Dec 19th, 2018
La Rioja, Spain
