Winery On The Gruene

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

Mo
9.2

WS: 93. Baked cherry, raspberry ganache and warm fig flavors are ripe and expressive, with a pleasing counterpoint and added detail from rich notes of loamy earth and leather, plus accents of bay leaf, vanilla and red licorice. There's a supple generosity on the palate, trimmed nicely by fine-grained tannins and a tang of orange peel acidity. Tempranillo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2032. 35,000 cases made, 9,000 cases imported.

Alison Napjus
Issue Date: Aug 31, 2024
Release Price: $45/750mL
— 7 months ago

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2004

heavy pencil shavings and cigar smoke on the nose. black olive and green bell pepper too. color is definitely what you’d expect in a 20 year old wine. palate is consistent with nose, very bordeaux-lite. heavy cigar box. a lot of olive and herb tapenade character. some black pepper on the finish too. very savory overall. — 3 years ago

Pooneet, Severn and 3 others liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 2006

Beautiful vintage Krug, but clearly still very young (which is slightly nuts). Bubbles are quite fine but still very present. Yeasty and mouth filling - there is real power here. Deep and intense on the palate, long finish, great acid. Very fun to try - but would love to try in 5-10 years. — 5 years ago

Severn, Michael and 8 others liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah

I was going through my La Chapelle section today and my eyes got stuck on this 1999 - bottle looked absolutely pristine and I decided it was a perfect age to drink. Cork was in great condition and the wine was powerful and youthful with no signs of oxidation. Could have kept the bottle for a few more years, but it was probably perfect today. All the complex leathery earthy goodness you expect from this wine was there. — 8 months ago

Tyler liked this

Château Cheval Blanc

St. Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend 2007

No formal notes . Medium deep ruby again. This is a bit greener , spicier , with some red pepper , smokier and darker fruit on the nose . Spicier and a bit more plush on the palate . This actually improved a lot in the glass and was changing quite a lot , became more floral with crunchy fresh dark berries . Polished tannin but nice fresh acidity , quite velvety on the palate . No lack of weight either . Really quite liked this and will no doubt age gracefully even if it is enjoyable today with time in decanter. For enjoyment over the next 10 years or so. — 10 months ago

Anthony, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe

La Crau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend

Really good. A little young but still good on the nose and light finish at the same time. Not incredibly complex but still intriguing. I could drink a LOT of this often. — 6 years ago

leon liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Big lush, dark fruit that has not reached its peak window yet. But she ain’t far away. I was able to obtain a vertical of 01,02,03,& 04. My first foray into that vertical. No rush on this one but very impressed. Leather, pepper, if not cigar leaf here . Suffice it to say, there is a lot going on here and my lack of Cali knowledge has new intrigue — 9 months ago

Vino, Andrew and 5 others liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2012

Been sitting on it for a decade and boy was it worth the wait. It’s everything I’d want in a St. Julien Bordeaux. Silky tannins, elegant mouthfeel, great balance of red fruit and earthy undertones. Sadly, that was my last one. — 9 months ago

Billecart-Salmon

Brut Rosé Champagne Chardonnay Blend

Like peaches and cream. Perfect with food. Perfect on its own. Jean Georges. — 4 years ago

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Old school. Has some of that over extracted warmth but nothing compared to the Napa Valley juice from the same year. Nice leather tones. Good stuff. Will only get better with age. On the upward slope. — 9 years ago