Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: black cherry, plum, some cocoa, dry leaf tobacco, vanilla 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 medium+. The alcohol is medium. This is tart and tasty; young and built for age.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend including Bordeaux varieties), Zinfandel (with a decent amount of Petite Sirah, Tempranillo or even Malbec from France, the US, Spain or Argentina. But I think the wood is playing a key role in the tannin here, meaning that I think it spends a lot of time on it. I don’t think it’s all American because it don’t get a bunch of coconut and dill…but this is probably a modern leaning Rioja. So that’s my call. This is Tempranillo from Spain, Rioja, Reserva level and younger, 2019. Boom. This is solid and reliable even though I don’t think it has the personality of Heredia or Pescina. Drink now through 2049. — 5 hours ago

Daniel M

9.1

Bought with a discount at about 13 USD in equivalent Polish Złoty. It's a steal! The nose is very inviting with blackberry, black cherry, bacon, soy sauce, oak, a bit of tobacco too. What a nose ! The palate is very well made, with a great acid drive, some width, some matter, some nice blackberry and black cherry notes, some oily, a tiny bit thicker mouthfeel, some gentle, slightly drying tannins kick off in the rear, delivering a sandy layer over a very long, fruity, meaty, savoury finish that goes on for a very long while. This punches way above its price tag. Great stuff and even better than the 2020 I had some months ago. — 3 months ago

Erica Cessna

9.5

Ambler FWGS — 6 months ago

Chris MacLean

9.1

Fresh and substantial — 9 months ago

with Sarah

Diêgo Martins

8.9

Pretty good! — 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.2

Great bottle of juice. All of the typical SA CB characteristics turned up to 11 with the addition of insane minerality. Best I’ve ever had by a mile. Full of character. — 4 years ago

romo

9.3

Little-to-no oak getting in the way of sweet fruit and herbal finish. Noteworthy balance. 💯 - at Gail & Ralph’s — 13 days ago

John Davidson

9.7

This is the best bottle of wine I’ve had from my cellar in years. Nearly perfect. Bought it in 2008 for $30 and one of my great finds. Good lord it was just divine. I’m sure there have been better vintages but I can’t imagine it. — 2 months ago

Susi Steiner

8.9

Mo, 9.03.2026: vorgezogenes 🎂-Essen — 4 months ago

Jack Steel

8.9

Really enjoyable oaked Rioja, normally I go for an un-oaked variety to pair with oysters. Very smooth and silky with a hint of white stone fruit on the palette and a nice oaky finnish but still fresh! — 5 months ago

Tania Martell

9.2

Good Rioja for sangria — 2 years ago

Konrad Ziegler

9.5

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! — 3 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

I loved this. Really interesting white. A combination of Viura and Palomino. At Arzak. — 4 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Anniversario madrina — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

100% Viura white Rioja. Bright light yellow color. Aromas of orchard fruit, white flowers and citrus. Flavors of green apple and pear fruit, lemon zest, pineapple and a hint of banana peel. Touch of both salinity and minerality on the medium (and slightly creamy) finish. Low acidity and a bit flabby. Medium bodied. Fresh and clean with a smooth texture. May improve with some additional bottle age. — 2 months ago

Doggfather

9.2

A real surprise - more earthy Grenache — 4 months ago

Heather Rostker

9.2

Nice gran riserva — 4 months ago

with Emmett and Brian

Emily Perry

10

Smooth, easy drinking. Absolutely love. — 2 years ago

Shangliao Sun

9.1

Such rustic and funky wine! Love it. Pale color, forest floor, red fruits, and foxy. Good acidity and saline taste, medium length. Decant it at least an hour. — 3 years ago

Hannah Clark

9.2

Juicy, bright, hint of vanilla on the the nose, candied red fruit. — 4 years ago