Black Spanish
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012
Nice elegance but too light in weight for the price — 16 days ago
Martín Códax
Rías Baixas Albariño
La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri
Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010
Presented to me double blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core and some rim variation; 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 some dried red and black fruits: Luxardo cherry, plum, cocoa, purple, dried flowers, vanilla, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and alcohol seems elevated. Initial conclusions: this could be a super Tuscan with a good amount of Merlot; a Merlot-based blend from Saint Emilion or a Tempranillo from Italy, France or Spain. I didn’t think this gave me enough Italian vibes to make me comfortable with Italy conclusion and I thought this had too much pretty French oak on it to be likely from Spain so I went with my gut and called this a Merlot based blend from France, Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, 2006. Ahhhhh…dang it, Remelluri likes to use French Oak barrique and it threw me off. Gotta remember there are some more modern producers making wine like that. Good stuff though! Drink now through 2040. — a month ago
As for myself, I keep heeding to the “traditional” makers, keeping my fingers crossed they’ll still be around.
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1973
Marqués de Murrieta
Reserva Finca Ygay Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1995
vintage 1995 | Well balanced, really beautifull — 2 months ago
La Caña
Rías Baixas Albariño 2023
Bodegas Borsao
Tres Picos Campo de Borja Garnacha 2022
Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com
Such a welcoming change from the way it used to be. much less oak. better quality fruit, better oak integration, fresher, spicier. this is actually good. This is quality #Garnacha love it. #campodeborja — 5 days ago
Ameztoi
Rubentis Getariako Txakolina Hondarrabi Beltza Hondarrabi Zuri Rosé Blend
Briny, crisp, addictive!! — 7 days ago
Marqués de Riscal
Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo
New to wine. This was one of the first quality reds I was recommended. Should age well and has decent tannins. — a month ago
Clos Mogador
Priorat Red Blend 2015
Aromas of dried meat, liquorice and chocolate, cherries and plums. On the palate savoury yet sweet. Red and black fruits - a rich palate and very enjoyable. Ticks a lot of boxes and I loved visiting the winery in 2023 for a tasting with the family. — 2 months ago
Jay Kline
Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: black cherry, plum, some cocoa, dry leaf tobacco, vanilla and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The alcohol is medium. This is tart and tasty; young and built for age.
Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend including Bordeaux varieties), Zinfandel (with a decent amount of Petite Sirah, Tempranillo or even Malbec from France, the US, Spain or Argentina. But I think the wood is playing a key role in the tannin here, meaning that I think it spends a lot of time on it. I don’t think it’s all American because it don’t get a bunch of coconut and dill…but this is probably a modern leaning Rioja. So that’s my call. This is Tempranillo from Spain, Rioja, Reserva level and younger, 2019. Boom. This is solid and reliable even though I don’t think it has the personality of Heredia or Pescina. Drink now through 2049. — 6 days ago