La Finca

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2005

There is still more time to build complexity on this gorgeous wine. I'm drinking my bottles too quickly, but it's hard not to when it's this good! — 9 days ago

Zach, Tom and 5 others liked this

Campo Viejo

Rioja Tempranillo 2021

Classic Spanish flag color of yellow with red writing. Good brick red color. Just a hint of a purple core. Aroma is stones and red/black cherry cobblers-pies. Slightest of linseed oils. Flavors are bright, fresh Temp. Crunchy and dry. Just a hint of fennel or oregano. Has a classic feel and flavor. Would be great for watching El Clasico. — 15 days ago

Douglas liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

another great smooth delivery of Tempranillo and Garnacha. Rioja alive and kicking all over this bottle .. — 15 days ago

Tyler liked this

Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Getting ready to leave France, so let's go out with a bang! It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, black cherries, tobacco, cedar, light vegetables, licorice, chocolates, coffee and light peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cherries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, light vegetables, black pepper, tobacco leaf, earth and black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8 year old Merlot based blend is still very young. In most vintages, it is a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend, but in the 2017 vintage it was a little different.

Spicy and entertaining. Well balanced and complex, but a little tight and restraint right now. Much earthier than I expected it to be.

Needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.

A good food wine right now, that will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 56% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (70% New) French oak barrels for 18 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$450.
— 5 days ago

Dave, Jose and 21 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2017

Haven’t had in ages. Plenty of dill, vanilla, & red fruits. — 11 days ago

Tom, jesus and 7 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

One of the best wines for the money, anywhere.
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

High praise indeed @Jay Kline ! Was my intro to Rioja several decades ago. It is reliable @Peter van den Besselaar .

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2012

This is a favourite & we picked up a few bottles to see how age changes it. This is our last bottle and age has done it well.

Time has made it weightier. The wine is real dry & has a bit of a walnut flavour. In its depths, you can tease out a hint of sweetness.

We need to find more.
— a month ago

Gillian Koh
with Gillian
Peter, Pinotman and 1 other liked this
Peter Sultan

Peter Sultan Influencer Badge

It sings to me too… just the price of admission has radically altered over the years!@Vin d’Ottawa
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

I am surprised that you did not rate this higher. I have an older version - they tend to get oxidized - hence the Walnut - there are folks who hate that - but i think it is different and brilliant!
Vin d’Ottawa

Vin d’Ottawa

@Peter Sultan it is pricier these days.
@Pinotman /// Andreas for me this is a special wine

Marqués de Murrieta

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Exceptional interpretation of Ribera del Duero — 16 days ago

Ted, Bob and 2 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend

Leather and spice up front, with a trace of dill that softens into dark cherry after an hour in the decanter. — 2 days ago

Bollinger

Special Cuvée Brut Champagne Blend 1929

Pale golden in the glass with fine, persistent bubbles. Aromas of green apple, orange peel, pear, and peach, layered over rich notes of brioche and toast. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and complex, with a creamy texture, energetic mousse, and toasty depth. High acidity. Vibrant and refreshing with a long, satisfying finish. Consistently well-balanced, reliably delicious. A standout non-vintage Champagne. — 5 months ago

Dave liked this

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

La Grande Dame Brut Champagne Blend 2006

A pull from the cellar to toast my son’s (our first) graduation from High School! The 2006 La Grande Dame pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is autolytic and developing with notes of ripe and tart orchard fruits: Bosc pear, green apple, strawberry, raspberry, lemon curd, toasted brioche, marzipan, honeysuckle and chalky, limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. These are in a fabulous spot. Drink now through 2036+. Disgorged October of 2016. — 3 days ago

Tom, Douglas and 12 others liked this