Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

When something is sooooooo good, you go back and bring in your own bottle.

This is drinking beautifully, but would be even better in 5yrs.

This started with a caramel front. After a hour decant…it’s evenly balanced fruit, florals & spice/earth. It is now elegance refined with spice and roses from my backyard.

The best version of ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, strawberries, bright cherries, pomegranate & raspberries. Dry crushed rocks-top soil, cedar shavings, tobacco, old leather, mid berry cola, hints of graphite, charcoal, just a touch of moist herbs, some clove/nutmeg, a dab of olive tapenade, tree bark puree, the most insane red & pink roses, red florals, seriously perfect acidity, balance for months, mid tension, long length and elegance that most Tempranillo doesn’t give and long sets in dry soils.

Not your average Tempranillo with the right age. It is refined.

@KobeBeef511 Tokyo

If you find yourself in Tokyo, don’t miss it! They shave fresh Wasabi. — 13 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Pappas jorge b memo b jason — a month ago

Andy@andyberke.com

9.0

Started rough and really opened up. Perfectly paired with red sauce — 2 months ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

A 10 year Rioja, drinking beautifully, all smooth, fresh nose with good fruits and a chewy mouth feel. Medium to full body, tasty — 6 months ago

Sébastien F

9.2

C'est chaleureux mais très très harmonieux — 10 months ago

Sam Friedland

9.0

Pleasant, figs, cherries. 100% monastrel. — 10 months ago

Michael Albanes

9.0

Excellent with salmon. I like it better than most Malbecs. — 4 years ago

Daniel Jara

9.3

Vinazo con decanto y espera de 50 min ! Es un vino de paciencia para disfrutar! Excelente en nariz y en boca potencia , madera , tabaco . — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Opened about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of two days. Fairly consistent throughout but maybe even a touch better on Day 2? The 1976 “Unico” pours a garnet color with a slightly orange rim and a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with intoxicating notes of cassis, black cherry, red plum, dried flowers, coffee (for dayz), tobacco, leather, sandalwood, some organic earth and a mix of cool 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 long with gorgeous texture. This bottle came across remarkably young and supremely elegant. So much so, that I thought it was an inspired decision by one of our brothers-in-wine to include it in this particular lineup. We had a little leftover for the next day and it continued to show well. Brilliant stuff. Drink now through 2046+ — a month ago

Robert Ahlstrom

9.1

Deep garnet opaque, full bodied with black fruit, blackberries and plums — 6 months ago

John Van Trijp

10

Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 blend 1970, 1976, 1982 — 9 months ago

Anne Richardson

9.1

Mmmm - delicious! Quite full bodied with a deep ruby red color. Enjoyed with red meat and all by itself. Flavors of blackberry, plum and dark cherry. — 10 months ago

The Pretentious Gentleman

9.0

Really enjoying this tasty, dry sipper. I haven't had many Riojas but this is the first one I actually like. Good stuff! — 3 years ago

Perry Juel

9.0

Enjoyed a 2021 bottle with steaks on our back patio. Excellent choice at this price point. 15.5% alcohol. — a month ago

Jon Petrulsky

9.2

Muy bien! — 5 days ago

with Anna

Akshay Venkitasubramanian

9.4

bold, powerful, and deeply colored—perfect for steak ; — 2 months ago

katarina ammann

9.2

Heavy tobacco, smoke, and earthy tones on top of dark fruits. Opens up very dynamically because of its vintage. — 6 months ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.5

Delicious! — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Valserrano – Tempranillo & Graciano – 2020
Rioja Alavesa DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A Crianza-level Rioja built for approachability, freshness, and everyday enjoyment. Predominantly Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, aged briefly in oak to soften the edges while preserving fruit purity.

Aromas & Flavors
Red cherry, raspberry, and plum with hints of licorice, vanilla, and subtle spice. Light herbal notes and soft oak support without dominating.

Mouthfeel
Medium-light body, juicy and vibrant with mild tannins and easy-going acidity. Friendly texture that drinks effortlessly, even slightly chilled.

Food Pairings
Tapas, grilled chicken, burgers, pizza, or chorizo, anything casual and flavorful.

Verdict
An easy-drinking, fruit-forward Rioja that embraces the modern, relaxed side of Rioja Alavesa. Fun, refreshing, and crowd-pleasing without trying too hard.

Did You Know?
Crianza wines are Spain’s most versatile category, requiring a minimum of 2 years of aging with at least 1 year in oak, striking the sweet spot between young fruit and gentle structure. — 10 months ago

Jess

9.1

Deep ruby color.
Aromas of baked raspberry, licorice,
Dry. Flavors of baked raspberry, cinnamon, peppercorn, anise, clove, cocoa. Rich, velvety tannins.

Intensity: 5/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 3 years ago