Gran Espanoso

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1970

Poured into a decanter maybe an hour prior to service. The 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and absolutely brilliant with a mix of desiccated and ripe fruits: dried Morello and Montmorency cherry, cocoa powder, mushrooms, old leather bound books, an entire cabinet full of dried herbs and spices, a memory of barnyard and a deciduous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still: medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and makes me believe there is something bigger than us in this life. This bottle, on this afternoon, gives the confidence to embrace the mystery. Drink now with an hour of air but I get the sense this is one of those Energizer Bunny wines… — 5 hours ago

Ely, Jae and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

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I’m not sure I’ve ever had a wine that provided me with a truly spiritual experience!
Jay Kline

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@Ely Cohn yeah man…it was that special. I just wanted to smell it all day long
Jay Kline

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@Tom Casagrande it doesn’t happen very often for me…maybe once a year. But when it does, it’s an emotional thing

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2015

Paul J
9.5

Great wines for Family Christmas and New Year’s Eve!! No formal notes but rated appropriately. — 13 days ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Scott@Mister and 11 others liked this

Poderi Aldo Conterno

Riserva Gran Bussia Barolo Nebbiolo 2005

Succulent and bursting. Strong cherry, tar and grounded beautifully. The juice that powered the afternoon Boggle game. — 17 days ago

Daniel, Jan and 15 others liked this

Marqués de Cáceres

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2015

Has the 2015 and it must be decanted… after 2 days decanting it was lovely. Zing and texture were back. — 11 days ago

Bodegas Beronia

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

Love it. Though big, bold, and high al at 14.5%, a great example of a rioja w some age. Prob could age much longer. Very tart fruit. Fruit better defined day one vs day two. For $40, definitely worth it. Why ever drink a 2yr old CA cab and pay $100+??!! — 23 days ago

Raul, Peter and 1 other liked this

Baron de Ley

Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo

L’apogée du Baron … compote de fraises en finale… !
2017… €18
— 20 days ago

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend

Vintage 2008 | Reliable old school Rioja, well balanced with vanilla, mocca, cedar — a day ago

Jan, Lies and 14 others liked this
Jay Kline

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So reliable.

Mendoza Vineyards

Gran Reserva Mendoza Malbec 2017

A very pleasant Malbec that went awesome with some properly marinated beef. Excellent balance with a mildly spicy meal! — 12 days ago

Tracy Bowen
with Tracy

Bodegas Franco-Españolas

Bordón Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2016

Muscade et balsamique. Un Rioja traditionnelle. — 8 days ago

El Coto de Rioja

Gran Reserva Coto de Imaz Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Decant or give it at least 15 minutes in the glass. Spicy plum and nail varnish nose. Plum, dark cherry, vanilla, and cigar box in a medium body, resolving to medium tannins in a long, earthy finish. Delightful Costco find. — 4 days ago