Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: black cherry, plum, some cocoa, dry leaf tobacco, vanilla and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. The alcohol is medium. This is tart and tasty; young and built for age.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend including Bordeaux varieties), Zinfandel (with a decent amount of Petite Sirah, Tempranillo or even Malbec from France, the US, Spain or Argentina. But I think the wood is playing a key role in the tannin here, meaning that I think it spends a lot of time on it. I don’t think it’s all American because it don’t get a bunch of coconut and dill…but this is probably a modern leaning Rioja. So that’s my call. This is Tempranillo from Spain, Rioja, Reserva level and younger, 2019. Boom. This is solid and reliable even though I don’t think it has the personality of Heredia or Pescina. Drink now through 2049. — 14 hours ago

Daniel M

9.1

Bought with a discount at about 13 USD in equivalent Polish Złoty. It's a steal! The nose is very inviting with blackberry, black cherry, bacon, soy sauce, oak, a bit of tobacco too. What a nose ! The palate is very well made, with a great acid drive, some width, some matter, some nice blackberry and black cherry notes, some oily, a tiny bit thicker mouthfeel, some gentle, slightly drying tannins kick off in the rear, delivering a sandy layer over a very long, fruity, meaty, savoury finish that goes on for a very long while. This punches way above its price tag. Great stuff and even better than the 2020 I had some months ago. — 3 months ago

Erica Cessna

9.5

Ambler FWGS — 6 months ago

Tania Martell

9.2

Good Rioja for sangria — 2 years ago

Kathryn McCarty

8.9

Rich tannins, some sense of red berries, terroir, earthy - great for the price! — 4 years ago

Hannah Clark

9.2

Juicy, bright, hint of vanilla on the the nose, candied red fruit. — 4 years ago

romo

9.3

Little-to-no oak getting in the way of sweet fruit and herbal finish. Noteworthy balance. 💯 - at Gail & Ralph’s — 14 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

100% Viura white Rioja. Bright light yellow color. Aromas of orchard fruit, white flowers and citrus. Flavors of green apple and pear fruit, lemon zest, pineapple and a hint of banana peel. Touch of both salinity and minerality on the medium (and slightly creamy) finish. Low acidity and a bit flabby. Medium bodied. Fresh and clean with a smooth texture. May improve with some additional bottle age. — 2 months ago

Heather Rostker

9.2

Nice gran riserva — 4 months ago

with Emmett and Brian

ESF

8.9

ask the wine guy for something unusual, something off the beaten path and he recommends this delicious dry 100% Palomino w/some bottle age: definitely a food wine, light greenish straw color w/fairly austere nose full of minerals, lanolin, herbaceous musk, white flowers (jasmine), ginger & some spices. on palate it is rigid & angular, zesty acidity, some citrus but mostly minerals & herbs, quinine, screams for briny foods - we had this w/deli section fare & salad. — 8 months ago

Konrad Ziegler

9.5

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! — 3 years ago

Donald Williams

9.5

Always a really nice wine at a great price. — 4 years ago

with Bonnie

Brandi Bratek

9.0

Great choice with a good steak. Starts off a bit dry but opens up nicely with some air. A bit musty with ripe cherries, and a hint of dark chocolate. — 5 years ago

Bobbi Jo Broxson

9.4

Really happy birthday to me! — 2 months ago

with Brian

John Davidson

9.7

This is the best bottle of wine I’ve had from my cellar in years. Nearly perfect. Bought it in 2008 for $30 and one of my great finds. Good lord it was just divine. I’m sure there have been better vintages but I can’t imagine it. — 2 months ago

Laura Vaughn Arellano

9.0

Castillo Clavijo Crianza Rioja does not disappoint. Smooth, berry finish with just the right amount of tart. — 4 months ago

Mark Mannebach

9.3

Blackberry cigar/tobacco, leather, smokiness tones and smooth as velvet — 8 months ago

Emily Perry

10

Smooth, easy drinking. Absolutely love. — 2 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

I loved this. Really interesting white. A combination of Viura and Palomino. At Arzak. — 4 years ago

John pappel

8.9

Picked up 8 cases. At 5.85 CAD a great bargain for a nice rose. A lovely Grenache for the Summer, but full flavoured enough to enjoy year round. A great second bottle after a nice Chardonnay with Thanksgiving turkey. — 5 years ago