92
June 2012
Top note of fresh tobacco, the first taste is pepper followed by slightly sour cherry and hints of black current. The taste really grows, this is a wonderful wine.
A nice exotic bouquet on this Rioja with aromas of ripe berry fruit, Asian spices, soft leather and old wood notes. On the palate, medium bodied (with alcohol coming in at 13.5 %), spicy red and black fruit, good acidity and velvet tannins. This wine finish is long, very smooth and somewhat spicy. This is a nice bottle of Rioja for fans of the more traditional style with good value for money. Strongly recommended, enjoyed in May 2012.
What a revelation, a Rioja that isn't like touring a saw-cutting mill. So much going on here: red cherry fruit, herbs, earth, perfectly judged oak and super length. While exceedingly enjoyable now, this could stand another couple of years on the bottle and should keep through the end of the decade, Excellent. Tasted August 2012.
2005 such a great year in Rioja.
The brightness of this wine took me a bit by surprise but underneath the mouth watering acidity was a treasure trove of fruit and spice. Nice wine.