The 2021 El Nido is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Monastrell from Jumilla. Aged for 22 months in American and French oak barrels, this garnet-red wine offers forward aromas, with prominent oak followed by notes of tomato leaf and ripe black fruit. Big and rich, the palate is bold and substantial, finishing with ripe fruit flavors. Despite all that ripeness, there are some slightly green notes here. The 2021 is a carefully crafted red that’s both savory and stylish. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, September 2024)
— 9 months ago
Lemon, pears and minerals. Went very well with Chilean sea bass! — 3 years ago
Vanilla is known as ‘the salt of the baking world’ and this wine embodies that. Velvety smooth vanilla, maybe black cherry or Concord grape, peppercorn, tea leaf. I was skeptical at first finding an 11 year old wine in 2021 that had bottle gimmicks like fake gold wire, but is worth the 30$CAD if you can find it! — 4 years ago
Tried 6mos ago. Began 1916, Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of present generation, built winery in heart of Jumilla. Blue label spent 18 months in new oak (wine formally known as 18 mos representing time in bottle, now “Blue Label.” Monastrell, Cab Sauv & Syrah blend (60/30/10), low yield, aromas of red berry and toasty oak. Palate shows flavors of dark berry fruits, espresso, cacao and hints of sweet spice. Big dusty tannins, well integrated with oak, lingering, well balanced. Aged well, still going! — 5 years ago
The start of watching NFL Football 🏈 in the backyard for the dog days of summer. Reason enough to break out the BSR. Still my favorite N/V Rosé Champagne. Really refreshing on a hot day for our neck of the woods, 83 degrees and 90 plus in the sun.
Happy Friday & weekend all! Cheers 🍾🥂! — 6 years ago
The 2020 Clio is a blend of 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Zingla Vineyard, which was planted in 1936 in Jumilla. Aged for 22 months in French and American oak barrels, this garnet wine unfolds in the glass with ripe black fruit and dried fruit notes, layered with herbal and oaky nuances and a prominent vanilla tone. Indulgent and bold, the rich palate features a velvety, overwhelming mouthfeel. This is a ripe, concentrated red born under the Mediterranean sun. (Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous, September 2024)
— 9 months ago
From 30-year old vines. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha (no ‘11 made b/c Garnacha wasn’t great). Tempranillo spent 36 months on 4-year old American oak, Garnacha spent 30 months on 2-year old American oak. Ruby with nose of red fruit, cedar and floral citrus notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, currant and orange peel with vanilla, cacao and tobacco notes. Well developed, fine tannins, long finish ending with earthy mineral flavor. Very Nice! — 4 years ago
Besos de los dioses — 6 years ago
The 1989 Pichon-Baron repeats its performance from the vertical tasting in May 2018. It storms from the glass, bearing copious blackberry, cedar and perhaps a little more mint than I noticed on the previous bottle. There is so much youthful zeal to this harmonious, refined Pauillac that you would barely guess it is 30 years old. Long and tender with a graphite-infused finish, this bottle might be even better than the ex-château example. Tasted at the 1989 Bordeaux dinner at Hatched in London. (Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2019) — 6 years ago
One of my favorite California Right Bank Bordeaux Blends. Cherry, earthy, mushroom. Beautifully balanced. — 7 years ago
Earthy and not giving away much initially, was worried after 20 mins. By 30 it blossomed, full on cassis and vanilla tannins, undergrowth. Dark red fruit, Rutherford dust. Notwithstanding a Bordeaux vibe there was no mistaking this for anything but a high-end Napa cab. Awesome one at that. I wouldn’t wait much longer… — 8 months ago
No problems noted despite the age. Very good, but not outstanding. The nose was great at about 30 minutes-1 hour in the glass. The nose seemed to fade over the evening, but still very nice. Acidity is notable. Earthy flavors, tobacco, dried fruit. Great experience trying a 41 year old vintage! — 9 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a wide red/brick rim.
Pretty nose of currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, herbs, light vegetables, pencil lead, light vinaigrette, olives, peppercorn, leather, tobacco leaf, earth and dark coffee.
Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cooked black plums, ripen cherries, oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, earth, light vanilla and black pepper.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Tuscany. Smooth with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.
This 19 year old is Interesting and tasty. Not from the best vintage, but still very yummy, and at its peak right now.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 3 hours of airtime.
Thank you Judy for sharing this with me.
Robert Parker 92 points. Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.
I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 24 months in oak barrels (30% new).
14% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$350. — 3 years ago
Had this 6 mos ago at Tasting, liked it, bought several bottles for cellar. Blend of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec, made by 30 year Chappellet winemaker Phillip Titus. Deep Ruby, purple edges, youthful aromas of black fruit, spices and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and black cherry with some vanilla and tobacco and herbal floral notes. Vivid acidity & firm tight tannins with long finish ending with a youthful character, aging well should benefit from bottle aging. — 5 years ago
Label based on Little Prisoner etching, by Francisco de Goya. Deep Ruby with red fruit aromas and hints of woody spice. Aged 30% on new oak, combo of French/American barrels, blend of Zin, Cab Sauv, Petite Sirah, Syrah & Charbono. Palate shows flavors of sweet cherry, blueberry & raspberry, zesty spice lively acidity, good balance. Fine tannins, long finish ending with cacao & oaky character. — 6 years ago
From Schneider’s $30 in ca 2012 Drank on 7/24/19. Menthol eucalyptus. Grit is in the nose not in taste. Lean. Pine cones mulch black topsoil blackberry. Only fine sediment. — 6 years ago
Very honeyed and less mellow than the 40 year. Still mighty complex — 7 years ago
Julia Indik
Opens up with bright fruit - cranberries, apples, but then takes off into smoky tones underlying licorice, chocolate and carob. An initial acidity also blends into smooth tannins and a long finish. — 6 months ago