Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner at Le Mazenay. The 2019 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe mixed brambles, some dried red and purple flowers, a touch of VA, some black pepper, some anise and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A fantastic pairing with partridge. Already showing very well in its youth. Drink now through 2034+. — 12 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Oof. This is exceptional. Intense ripe fruit. Rich and textured. Great balance — 22 days ago

with Major-General

Mark S.

9.0

Good Les Griffons de Pichon Baron 20 @10120, Pieroth, 251117 — a month ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.2

Very round full bodied Rhône. Majority Grenache, drinks beautifully now but can age easily another 10 years. Dry, mouthfillling, garigue on nose and palate. — a day ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.6

Had this vintage almost a year ago and was highly impressed...something that remains the same. Complex, nuanced and refined. Great wine — 19 days ago

Mark

9.5

This is a huge wine and I hate that I opened it. I think it’s going to be awesome in another 10 years. Huge fruit strong tannins and a chalky feel from green tannins. I’m going to buy a case to cellar for later. This is a really big wine and is delicious but too young. — a month ago

with Jeron and Jessica

Rufus King

9.4

Delightful Margaux with light cherry notes and and fine tannin, Bloom Brasserie, Dublin — 2 months ago

Ivor

9.1

Great wine combining southern burgundy richness, use of luxurious oak, great acidity and low alc levels. Wonder how this ages.. Tx @Jan A for pointing this one out!. — 2 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, bitter herbs, spices, light vegetables and black tea.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 5 year old GSM blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is elegant and nicely balanced. Not as big as I expected it to be.

Complex, soft and elegant. Precise and inviting.

Robert Parker 92 points. Wine Spectator 94 points.

Easy drinking now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food.

A blend of 45% Grenache, 45% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Aged in large French oak barrels for 18 months.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — 23 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Barón de Ley – Varietales Tempranillo – 2014
Rioja DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A 100% Tempranillo from Rioja’s esteemed Barón de Ley Varietales Collection, crafted to highlight the noble face of the region’s flagship grape. Although structured in a crianza style with a projected drinking window of 10–12 years, opening it in 2025 revealed the wine perched right on the twilight edge of maturity. This is bottle #04400, now showing the soulful evolution that Rioja Tempranillo is famed for.

Aromas & Flavors
Initially faint cherry fruit, now firmly in the tertiary spectrum: leather satchel, dried rosemary, forest floor, and faint cigar box. Gentle hints of balsamic and dried fig linger in the background.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with softened, polymerized tannins. Acidity remains fresh enough to carry the wine, but fruit presence has largely faded, leaving savory and earthy notes to dominate.

Food Pairings
A fine match for aged Manchego cheese, braised lamb shank, mushroom-stuffed peppers, or even a rustic stew where earthy and herbal notes harmonize.

Verdict
This Tempranillo no longer plays its youthful cherry trumpet but rather resonates like the old violin sound of Rioja—mellow, textured, and contemplative. A fascinating study in maturity, best enjoyed with reflection rather than exuberance.

Did You Know?
Rioja wines are often classified not just by grape but by aging designations (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva). This bottle leaned into crianza timing, showing beautifully at first but demonstrating how Tempranillo gracefully transitions from fruit-driven vibrancy to complex tertiary elegance. — 2 months ago