Gran Conti

Bodegas Beronia

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

WoW! Just bought a bottle yesterday, and I’m in love with Rioja all over again. I haven’t found a bottle of wine this wonderful since before COVID… — 2 days ago

jesus, Andrew and 2 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

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. — 17 days ago

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose with blue and red fruits.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and easy drinking.

Showing raspberries, blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, light oak, licorice, tobacco, herbs, light earth, dried tomatoes, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Gran Reserva from Rioja is always a good choice. Showing nice complexity with a smooth mouthfeel.

Rich and elegant with good balance.

Drinks very young right now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Needs an hour to open up, but good right out of the bottle too.

I've had many different vintages of this wine, and it always delivers. My favorite so far was the 2004.

14% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$30.
— 12 days ago

Douglas, Ted and 17 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Nice. 2004 was excellent in Rioja.

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

Marey-Monge Romanée-St. Vivant Pinot Noir 2011

Shut down at first that needed time to open. — 11 days ago

Shay, Aravind and 8 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Gran Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2019

Really tasty. Full bodied, big wine. Lots of oak. I loved it, hubby thought it was just ok on its own but we both agreed it paired dynamite with dinner (pollo al ajillo). — 14 days ago

Ruffino

Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2019

Deep Ruby color with aromas of dark fruits, spice and toasty oak. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum with spice, herbs, cacao, tobacco and toasty tones from 18 months of oak aging. Full ripe tannins you can bite into, long finish ending with fruit and an earthy toasty spice character. Nice! Will age! — 11 hours ago

Anthony, Tom and 2 others liked this

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)

La Tâche Pinot Noir 1995

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 1995 La Tâche Grand Cru is an outstanding wine from a decade when I don't think the Domaine was firing on all cylinders. This echoes the magnum tasted last year with those ebullient red cherries and crushed strawberry scents on the nose. As you might expect from the bottle format, it's a little more open and evolved than the magnum. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-boned tannins, with a dash of white pepper sprinkled over the millefeuille of red fruit. It's delineated and poised towards the finish, so much so that you almost don't notice its structure. Sublime. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 days ago