Severn Goodwin

9.3

1998 | Red Blend — a month ago

Roberto Carli

9.7

what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage  — a month ago

Austin Hohnke

8.9

Forgive me father, for I have sinned.
I called this Chianti Classico in a blind. — 20 days ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.1

Classic Rioja Tempranillo. Great everyday value. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistently enjoyable throughout, but best after several hours of air and through Day 3. The wine pours, a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with expressive notes of ripe and dried cherry, plums, toasted coconut, fresh dill, cedar chest, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the fruit is much more tart. The finish is long and tangy. A textbook example of old-school Rioja. Lovely. Drink now with patience and through 2036. — 24 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

A truly crowd pleaser, had the 2017 vintage and was perfectly at its prime time. 100% Tempranillo grapes, loved the clove and spices combo on the nose and palate. Some hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Can be rich for some with persistent nice acidity. Persistent long and savory finish. A daily sipper ! — 17 days ago

Ryan Labbe

9.2

Had this twice now at Sazon in Santa Fe, NM. Fantastic Tempranillo. Love this wine. — 14 days ago

Richard Shin

9.3

Love this. Nicely balanced that has lots of similarities to a BX w some age. Lead, leather, spice, plums, earthy. Nose is a bit hot. Still, a great value for $26. Buy again. — 8 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2015 | vanilla, spicyness, oxidative, walnut, fresh, well balanced | with sardines, mussel, buckthorn berry | at Hofstede de Bkaak Tilburg — 22 days ago

Matthew Doty

9.3

2019 vintage. An excellent Rioja. Would certainly buy again — 13 days ago