La Rioja, Spain

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. In the Tondonia offering one can really appreciate the time and patience dedicated to crafting this wine. The wine evolves to a rustic yet graceful profile with strong notes of dark berries with slight oak and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is bliss, medium bodied, fully integrated, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to medium toast specifications), stored underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring.
— 16 days ago

Andrew, Ira and 15 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Sweet angel in the wine cabinet

Bodegas Beronia

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2019

Good stuff, embodies the style. — a day ago

Vin, Ray and 1 other liked this

Bodegas Muga

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2020

2020 - best wine that I can remember. Smooth and full of flavor. The perfect balance. — 25 days ago

Tom, Neil and 3 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. Bosconia is a delicate wine highlighted by persistent tones of red berries and bright acidity with integrated tannins closing with medium but lingering finish.

No stainless steel here. The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to lighter toast specifications), underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring.
— 16 days ago

Ted, Paul and 12 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Gran Reserva Prado Enea Rioja Tempranillo 2015

Silky smooth tannins. Dark cherries, plum, cedar, and smoke. Full-bodied. Delicious! — 2 days ago

Jay, Somm and 6 others liked this

Baron de Ley

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo

I have to explore the calificada region — 8 days ago

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 1996

No one chooses to have these kinds of bottles, the bottles themselves choose you. From the first whiff, you can smell the age; dried cherries, weathered leather, a trace of cigar box, and a hint of vanilla that lingers like memories of wilder days. On the palate, the wine unfolds slowly, each layer revealing the finesse of a life lived with grit and grace. The tannins, softened with age yet carrying a hint of defiance. — 16 days ago

Peter, Jose and 11 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

🤯 jealous of the wine and your trip! Hopefully you’re staying through Semana Santa and visiting southern Spain? Nothing like watching the parades with great sherry and smelling the spring orange blossoms.
Ericsson

Ericsson

Hey Paul. Great wine. Back home now. But yes can’t wait to go back.

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2017

2017 vintage. Extremely difficult to get past the coconut/pickles nose with the aggressive oak. Flavors better than scents currently. Could use an hour or two in a decanter or 7-8 years in the bottle to minimize said oak. Medium body. Will eventually lead the group on an epic hike but not in the next few years. 03.05.25. — 18 days ago

Jan, Ruud and 13 others liked this

Marqués de Riscal

Reserva Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Tempranillo 2020

Fuerte y con mucho cuerpo y dulzón a la vez 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 — 14 days ago

Javier liked this