Always fun to explore an indigenous varietal from Spain - especially when Alvaro Palacios is involved. I found this Mencia wine to be medium bodied with good acidity and structured tannins that were present in this young wine but not obnoxiously so. The fruit is darker dried red fruit that proved to be a good compliment with grilled shishito peppers. It was so nice to dive into a new aspect of Spain’s wine history. — 21 days ago
A nice wine!! A blend of mostly Tinta del País/Tempranillo (from old vineyards), with a splash of Garnacha and other grapes, including whites. Medium Ruby with aromas of ripe fresh fruits, herb and complex spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and blackberry with vanilla oak and cacao. Good balance, fine elegant tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit and earthy character. Very nice! — a month ago
Cork didn’t want to come out of this bottle, medium color with some bricking, lovely sweet American oak aromatics with some faint Brett notes, soft tannins, excellent acidity and balance, long, lingering finish with some sweet fruit, excellent!! — 11 days ago
Popped and poured from a half bottle; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The “Oeil de Perdrix” is made in the saignée method and pours a pale copper/pink color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of strawberry, raspberry, pink pepper, lemon, and chalky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A lovely expression of a Blanc de Noir Rosé from Bouzy. Disgorged April of 2023. — 18 days ago
Concentrated fruit, soft, and a bit of spice -
Some of the best value CdR out there, sourcing fruit from around Southern Rhône!! Jean Louis Chave expertise at an entry-level price.
This was a young wine but 2022 was a good year: Extreme drought vintage resulted in lower yields and concentrated, freshly acidic wines. — a day ago
Poured into a decanter 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2017 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and red fruit: mixed brambles, plum, black cherry pie with slightly burnt crust, cocoa, dried herbs and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is plush. The 15% is remarkably well hidden. This is one of those wines for me where I go, “How’d they do that?” But then I shouldn’t be all that surprised, this is Vega Sicilia we’re talking about. Drink now with at least a 30min decant and through 2032-ish? — a month ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90min. The 2020 pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of powerful ripe dark and blue fruits: Marionberries, figs, purple flowers, bacon fat, black olives, rocky minerals and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Young, but this is another lovely vintage of Chave Saint-Joseph. Give it time. Best after 2030 and drink through 2040+. — 20 days ago
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The goal was to only pour out half with the Coravin. This wine had other ideas. The whole Magilla came out and man was it nice. Perfectly blended and packing lots of power as well as finesse. So glad this is in its drinking window. Nice change of mix from Italian wines. — 2 days ago