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

Tony D

9.0

Light rioja. But I honestly don’t know much about the wines. Going to Spain next week should be better to describe next time. Not very tannins. Not very dry. Medium oak. Like it especially on a beautiful night after playing soccer with my kid. 17$. Totally worth it. Would recommend. — 4 months ago

Victor Charcan

9.2

Expressive nose, a bit reduced at first, then on ti ripe cherries, cocoa, liquorice , plums. Ample bodied, son of a dry and hot vintage, acidity that holds the alcohol and hood length and youth for a 2012. Remarkable, unexpected village, Albelda, must be the high land on the way to Clavijo. — 8 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.4

Gran Reserva 2015. Drinking beautifully. Dark Ruby colour, elegant nose with fruit and maturation notes. Extremely smooth and full of textures.
This is the time to open yours. — 2 months ago

Brad Jensen

9.3

Great anniversary wine at La Cuchara in Baltimore. Beautiful old nose of suede, rich leather, licorice and fig spread, with a silky body, a pale brick red, brown, deep maroon color, a nice acidic tinge, and prominent rich cranberry jam, fresh plum, and leathery notes. — 3 months ago

Brit Young

9.3

Birthday dinner wine. Clay pot, dried cranberry, a little balsamic. Jared cooked ribeye, sautéed mushrooms, risotto and salad. Great pairing! Knocked it out of the park! — 6 months ago

Jess

9.1

Deep ruby color.
Aromas of dark fruit, green bell pepper.
Dry. Flavors cassis, earth, oak spice, red bell pepper. Rich, chewy tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 8 months ago

K L

9.1

Good! Total wines Portugal wine. Would get again. Deep fruit but not too dark. Balanced. — 2 months ago

with Matt

K L

9.0

Great cheap buy from Total Wine. Pleasantly surprised how good this was and would get again. — 3 months ago

with Matt

Jody Wycech

9.0

Enjoy this wine. Full bodied, very dry. Lots of dark fruit, tobacco. Paired well with pasta in a red sauce but would be great on its own as well. — 6 months ago

with Ethan, Peter and 1 other