Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from some of CVNE's best vineyards in the Rioja Alta (85% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), aged in both French and American oak for 24 months. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with licorice, vanilla, tobacco & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

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! — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A blend of 80% Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, rest Graciano and Mazuelo, aged 5 years in American oak, deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, spice and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of strawberry and black cherry with spice, tobacco and cedar notes. Fine rustic tannins, long finish, savory ending with tobacco and earthy character. Nice! — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Mid 20th century fashionable country resort, popular with Hollywood due to 1892 stone Manor House & historic gardens. Blend of 81% Cab Sauv, 11% Merlot, 4% Malbec, rest other Rhone varieties, aged 20 months in 37% new French oak. Dark Ruby, aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs & spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry & black currant with vanilla oak and earthy notes. Well balanced, fine tannins long finish ending with fruit, espresso notes and sweet spice! Nice now and will drink well over next decade. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 4 hours. Medium body with a continually morphing nose. Super-impressive bouquet throughout the night. Overt fruit fallen off the framework and replaced with secondary attributes/complexities. @Bill Bender remarked twice about a lack of “heat”since the usual CDP ABV range seemed underwhelming One might think that would present issues but, rest assured, it did not. Great wine possibly at its’ zenith/top of the bell curve and living its’ best life now. Backed up the hype and then some. Tied for WOTN along with the 2006 Krug Clos du Mesnil Champagne (missed a picture for that one) for both myself and @Shay A 09.21.25. — 8 months ago

with Shay and Bill

UWS

9.2

2022.11.15 Rest. Enoclub Alba w/Wakano
EUR 65.00
Excellent wine, full body, good structure, a bit rhubarb at the end. Fantastic!
2018 an excellent wine year! — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

This Right Bank Bordeaux is bright Ruby red, from a blend of Merlot (80%), rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Fresh red fruit with cedar spice aromas. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with some cacao and licorice notes, adding oak and mineral tones. Fine tannins, medium finish, good balance with fruit, ending with smoky oak character, drink now on the younger side, no real benefit from long-term aging. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo, deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak, aged in both French and American oak for 24 months. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with licorice, vanilla, tobacco and toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice, blend of 90% Sangiovese with rest Canaiolo. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plum with tobacco, floral and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. Consistent quality, a Fav!! — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Decanted and open for 3.5 hours before tasting. Intense and spicy richness in the frontal palate/gums. Harmonious the rest of the journey. Very very close to opening the door to the hall of mirrors and entering the "zone" of optimal drinking. Still pretty youthful and no rush to crush. At least two decades of gorgeous enjoyment ahead. Even the greatest wines change themselves in the looking glass. 5.17.23. — 3 years ago