David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Leaner than the El Puntido. This is more classic Tempranillo. Drier & earthier.

Beautiful wine. Ripe, juicy & slightly candied & floral fruits of; mid to dark cherries, black raspberries, black raspberries, dry blue berries. Cherry cola, dry tobacco w/ ash, dry leathery, barrel staves, muddy herb mix, dark, dry spices, steeped, sun tea, mid; clove, nutmeg, vanilla, limestone minerals, crushed limestone/dry rocks, dry flowers that are black, red w/ dry lavender, round, high acidity with a high, dry tannin finish that falls on to the wild, dry, earthy, wildest finish that is balanced for many minutes.

Paired this with/ a dry rub tri-tip and a burgundy marinaded Cardiff Crack tri-tip. Both very different and enjoyable, but liked the dry rub with the Rioja.

Photos of, my visit to the Bodega, old oak vats that are decades old, neutral wood that is still used as of 2015 when I visited & been repaired endlessly, old wood press and tasting room outside their cellars/tasting room.. — 21 hours ago

Bob Yoon

9.4

This is a “fly your freak flag” wine. All the shit that your parents told you not to do, this wine does. Oxidation, VA! Use weird combinations of grapes. Be yourself! — 9 days ago

Daniel veit

9.3

Delicious, bing cherry, dill and leather. — 14 days ago

Matt Perlman

9.1

Never fails to deliver. This vintage is structured but accessible, and it’s instructive to taste next to other producers to appreciate the unobtrusive oak treatment which frames rather than overpowers. — 4 days ago

romo

9.2

Notes beyond its age. Never turns down even when you think it might. — 6 days ago

Chris MacLean

9.2

One of the best bottles of Cubillo I can remember tasting — 19 days ago

with Sarah

Joe Fischer

9.3

Lovely peach color with aromas of citrus, pear, brioche, and bruised apple. Smooth and nice body. Fine bubbles! — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Another great one from the master — 13 days ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Stunning—ripe and fleshy without being hot, shows lemon and orange marmalade, apricot, toasted nuts and chamomile, oak adds roundness and texture and a subtle spice — 4 days ago

Ethan Samuels

9.2

2010 vintage (half bottle). Upon opening, there was a split second hesitation as to whether the wine was skunked or not. Extremely earthy and funky nose though the taste and color assured that it was fine, though it surely needed a ton of time to come together. We enjoyed a Chenin Blanc while we waited for the Rioja. Revisiting the nose about 45 minutes later, it was clear the time alone improved it immensely. Alas, the classic notes of vanilla and oak and cherry that I so often associate with Rioja. Drinking it 20 minutes later over the next hour, the wine was showing incredibly well and so different from its previously unruly and spastic self. It was now much more tame and finessed, well integrated tannins yet still present, with nice acidity and a good amount of freshness. Incredibly enjoyable all on its own. A fun journey that had a rocky beginning but very rewarding end. — 21 days ago