Mason Balistreri 
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
9.2
I drink so little wine made with American Oak these days that this actually comes across as refreshing. Ironic! These guys are old school. Very long maceration which counter-intuitively lightens up the color and softens the edges in a oxidative sort of way (further, they rack barrel-to-barrel by hand). Amazing mouthfeel here. The acidity is very ample too but I don't think it takes over like many fashionable wines these days. This is the sort of wine that any customer can get behind. Lush but balanced. Old school, but approachable. Food friendly, but super easy to drink.
I drink so little wine made with American Oak these days that this actually comes across as refreshing. Ironic! These guys are old school. Very long maceration which counter-intuitively lightens up the color and softens the edges in a oxidative sort of way (further, they rack barrel-to-barrel by hand). Amazing mouthfeel here. The acidity is very ample too but I don't think it takes over like many fashionable wines these days. This is the sort of wine that any customer can get behind. Lush but balanced. Old school, but approachable. Food friendly, but super easy to drink.
Nov 18th, 2017
Fresh, fruity, and high acid everything you could want in a weeknight wine. Lasted three days and only improved, finishing with a touch of smoke along with succulent cherries. Incredible value wine!
Fresh, fruity, and high acid everything you could want in a weeknight wine. Lasted three days and only improved, finishing with a touch of smoke along with succulent cherries. Incredible value wine!
Mar 10th, 2020
Fruit forward nose with some hints of spice and earth. Big beautiful grippy tannins balanced by juicy black plums, round and silky with some vanilla and oak notes. Connor said "by the fire". Totally agree. Could sip on this alone all night long.
Fruit forward nose with some hints of spice and earth. Big beautiful grippy tannins balanced by juicy black plums, round and silky with some vanilla and oak notes. Connor said "by the fire". Totally agree. Could sip on this alone all night long.
Apr 1st, 2019
Loved this one. Bold fruity and oh so drinkable. A bargain for the price. 2012 vintage.
Loved this one. Bold fruity and oh so drinkable. A bargain for the price. 2012 vintage.
May 20th, 2018
Really great riserva rioja. Fruit still has some ripeness to it and sweet oak is only just coming through on the nose. Med + body with good structure. Not too funky and not yet approaching new world style.
Really great riserva rioja. Fruit still has some ripeness to it and sweet oak is only just coming through on the nose. Med + body with good structure. Not too funky and not yet approaching new world style.
Apr 10th, 2018
Drank lighter in the store. More like a strong cab at home but good.
Drank lighter in the store. More like a strong cab at home but good.
Dec 16th, 2017
Great everyday cherry red lush rioja.
Great everyday cherry red lush rioja.
Dec 2nd, 2017
Tart cherry and leather. BINNYS
Tart cherry and leather. BINNYS
Nov 22nd, 2017
Full of flavor. Very dry yet lots of fruit - black cherry, plum, hint of citrus, balanced beautifully with tobacco, leather and pepper. One of our favorite wines.
Full of flavor. Very dry yet lots of fruit - black cherry, plum, hint of citrus, balanced beautifully with tobacco, leather and pepper. One of our favorite wines.
Oct 23rd, 2017
Deliciously creamy and spicy :) wine class rioja
Deliciously creamy and spicy :) wine class rioja
Oct 14th, 2017
La Rioja, Spain
