Black Spanish

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2004 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart mixed fruit: Blackberries, black cherry, dill, olives, leather, toasted coconut, some vanilla, dried green herbs 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 long. This is in a very lovely place. Drink now through 2044.  — 15 days ago

Ely, Lyle and 15 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2015

Nothing like an aged Rioja. Still fresh and vibrant. Acidic and long finish of black fruits — 21 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1995

Medium garnet with a medium terracotta rim . Herbal and dried flowers at first with some iodine , dried mushroom , sous bois . On the palate this is more elegant and evolved with light strawberry , raspberry , spiced cherry , herbal hints , old wood , black tea . Great balanced acidity and fine but present tannins . Long finish , with strawberry conserve , mineral hints . This is in it drinking window but will probably give a further 10 or so years of prime drinking . Slightly finer and small boned than the 2001, but lacks nothing in complexity — 24 days ago

Jan, Tom and 9 others liked this

Clos Mogador

Priorat Red Blend 2010

BlackBerry, blueberry, black pepper and licorice surrounded with well integrated and soft tannins. While the finish was not as profound as I would have liked this was an excellent wine to represent Priorat’s Garnacha-based blends. — 4 days ago

Timothy Fox
with Timothy

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 1995

Garnet core , wide terracotta rim . Quite aromatic with sous bois , floral hints , spiced dried cherry, iodine , earth and leather . On the palate this has high acidity , fine tannins , orange rind , wet earth, sous bois , dried cherry . Good length . Ready drink now and over the next 5 years , just starting to run out of steam after a couple of hours . Elegant and refined in style — 4 days ago

Dave, Jeroen and 10 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2020

Tasted during WSET Level 2 class on 6/9/25. Very good tenparanillo. Mix of red and black fruits, hints of spice! — 24 days ago

Bodegas Borsao

Tres Picos Campo de Borja Garnacha

Deep purple without any brick. Tarry black fruit jam on the nose. Bright grape and jam on the palate. A heavy rendering of Grenache with tons of alcohol. Drink right away with grilled meats. — 8 days ago

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Medium ruby with medium garnet , ruby rim . Quite high toned spicy , sweet red fruit, red plum and cherry , vanilla , with a herbal , earthy touch. On the palate this is quite strict and tannic , lots of structure with decent acidity and red plum , darker cherry , spiced currants , hedgerow fruits, blackberry . Slightly saline , stony finish . Good length and well balanced alcohol . Very young , needs time to integrate. Better in 5-8 years and will last well for a further 10 or so years . — 4 days ago

Dave, Jay and 11 others liked this

Alvaro Palacios

Camins del Priorat Grenache Blend 2021

ESF
8.9

i'm going to stick with my note from the 2020: too generic, this vintage had a very firm tannic grip but same aromatic & flavor profiles — 8 days ago

Dick, Tom and 9 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

With Manchego, Iberico, and olives. Nailed it. At 13 years it’s starting to develop tertiary notes… earthy mushroom, tobacco. — 13 days ago

Tom, Lyle and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Great pairing!