Viña Cubillo Rioja Tempranillo Blend

It was showing out tonight. Not gonna lie.

Powerful 10-year old wine. Bright red fruit. Soft tannins. Pretty.

Raspberries on the nose and a bit of earth and spice, tart on the palate with lovely acidity for 12 years, a balance of fruit and earth, soft tannins. Basque Country, here we come!!

Code Restaurant - Oslo, Norway

Textbook old Rioja, a must every now and then.

The somm raves and accolades are well justified for this #rioja legend. This current release Vina Cubillo presents dried plum, Luxardo cherry, sweet tobacco, porcini mushroom aromas. Perfectly integrated on the palate, acid and fruit in harmony, long finish with elegant tannins. Cubillo drinks richer than the 2008 Viña Tondonia I had a couple of years back. Both are lovely wines but I give the hedonistic edge to this 2009. Interestingly flexible on food pairing, equally delicious with Gambas al Ajillo and fresh sliced Spanish Chorizo.

Old leather-bound books, medium-light body with tart red fruits (the fancy maraschino cherries that are dark red) and tannins that are soft from aging but still very present.
2013 vintage on Christmas Eve 2023

Medium-deep, ruby color.
Aromas of black cherry, tomato leaf, leather, tobacco.
Dry. Flavors of dried black cherry, rosemary, sage, peppercorn, black olive, floral finish. Medium-rich, chewy tannins. Incredible!

Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5

Very good. Ripe, sweet cherry, licorice and smoke, with pepper finish. If you like crianza you will like this wine.

Cubillo smells expensive, even if it's short and abrupt. But the nose is a bargain. Ingredient laundry list of leather, hot cinnamon, coffee, chocolate, and sweet dates. The mouth feels raw, sour, and crunchy in a way that isn't bad, just less elegant.