Spanish Vines

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

David T
9.3

Leaner than the El Puntido. This is more classic Tempranillo. Drier & earthier.

Beautiful wine. Ripe, juicy & slightly candied & floral fruits of; mid to dark cherries, black raspberries, black raspberries, dry blue berries. Cherry cola, dry tobacco w/ ash, dry leathery, barrel staves, muddy herb mix, dark, dry spices, steeped, sun tea, mid; clove, nutmeg, vanilla, limestone minerals, crushed limestone/dry rocks, dry flowers that are black, red w/ dry lavender, round, high acidity with a high, dry tannin finish that falls on to the wild, dry, earthy, wildest finish that is balanced for many minutes.

Paired this with/ a dry rub tri-tip and a burgundy marinaded Cardiff Crack tri-tip. Both very different and enjoyable, but liked the dry rub with the Rioja.

Photos of, my visit to the Bodega, old oak vats that are decades old, neutral wood that is still used as of 2015 when I visited & been repaired endlessly, old wood press and tasting room outside their cellars/tasting room..
— 17 hours ago

Bob, Ira and 6 others liked this
Jay Kline

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🙌🏽

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2012

Notes beyond its age. Never turns down even when you think it might. — 6 days ago

Severn, Tom and 4 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2019

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — a month ago

Paul, Rob and 11 others liked this
John Bratincevic

John Bratincevic

Love me some Muga.

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

Never fails to deliver. This vintage is structured but accessible, and it’s instructive to taste next to other producers to appreciate the unobtrusive oak treatment which frames rather than overpowers. — 4 days ago

Iwan, jesus and 4 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Gran Reserva 904 Rioja Tempranillo Graciano 2015

Young but polished and elegant. Red and black berries, tobacco leaf, soil and mushroom, American oak on the finish. This should integrate and deepen with age — 4 days ago

Iwan, jesus and 4 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2005

Stunning—ripe and fleshy without being hot, shows lemon and orange marmalade, apricot, toasted nuts and chamomile, oak adds roundness and texture and a subtle spice — 4 days ago

Iwan, jesus and 4 others liked this

Bodegas Muga

Reserva Unfiltered Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2017

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice, unmistakable Muga. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), palate shows cherry and currant flavors with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full tannins, lively acidity on a medium+ finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Nice value! Great vintage! — a month ago

Paul, Rob and 7 others liked this

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.
— 15 days ago

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

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Nice. 2004 was excellent in Rioja.

La Rioja Alta

Viña Alberdi Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2018

Nice balance of fruit and earth in this really good Rioja. Reminds me of what Riojas used to taste like way back in the day. — 4 days ago

Vin, Ray and 5 others liked this

La Rioja Alta

Reserva Viña Ardanza Rioja Tempranillo Garnacha 2016

Fruit forward but with the earthiness you expect from well made Rioja. Excellent wine that will continue to get better with time in the bottle. — 8 days ago