Quinta de Noval, Vintage Port, Porto 2007
Firm but lush and attractive notes of blackberry and blueberry with dried dates, bright citrus notes (tangerine), a hint of flowers, chocolate, and smoke. Quite spirity, almost malty. Big and yet elegant, already approachable but not at all lacking in serious structure. This is extraordinary, with the potential to be gorgeous. Drink over the next 20 – 30 years. 4.5 Stars [5/8/14]
Numanthia, Termes, Toro 2010
Outstanding nose! On both the nose and palate, dried black cherry, meaty black currant, a touch of juicy blackberry, leather, chocolate, and dusty, somewhat grippy tannin. Dense and rich and lush, but big and structured, with great aromatic personality. Great stuff, I love it! 5 – 10 years ahead. 4 Stars [6/24/14]
Taylor-Fladgate, Late Bottled Vintage, Porto 2003
Dark but not quite opaque ruby. Excellent nose, subtle but dense, with sweet cherry, dark berries, aromatic citrus rind, tar/chocolate, and firm raisen notes. On the palate, meaty black cherry and currant, blueberry, citrus, coffee, prunes, and mineral. Wonderful texture, lush and sweet yet dense and succulent. Drink now. 3.5 Stars [4/17/14]
Marques de Caceres, Blanco, Rioja 2012
Light, Excellent, rich, somewhat deep nose of musk melon, orange, pome and stone fruits, petrol, sweet green notes, a bit of beeswax, and mineral, all with smokey overtones. Similar notes on the palate with some raspberry/blood orange overtones, and with a wonderfully rich, slightly fat texture, kept fresh by orangey acidity and a slight grassiness; full bodied. An outstanding value for under $10, and one of the most versatile food wines I’ve encountered. Drink now. 3 Stars [9/5/14]
Celler el Masroig, Sola Fred, Mont Sant 2008
Excellent, deep, somewhat heady nose of black fruit, a hint of tar, mineral, and earth, with a touch of cocoa powder. On the palate, tart blackberry jam upfront, followed by fresh raspberry, a touch of meaty currant and juicy plum, a bit of citrus, perhaps just a hint of tobacco leaf, a hint of licorice, with earth, a hint of chocolate, and mineral toward a finish laden with lingering tannin. Full bodied and rich upfront, then somewhat more precise and lean, all with a deep and penetrating yet fresh and juicy character. An excellent wine of great character. Should drink well for at least another 3 years. 3 Stars. 90% Carignan, 10% Grenache [9/12/14]
Rioja Vega, Rioja 2009
Very good nose: dark fruit, a hint of tobacco, hickory, camphor, fire ember, cured leather, and mineral, all with mature notes. On the palate, cherry, black raspberry, currant, pomegranite/plum, mature raisen notes, leather, smoke, and earthy mineral. Medium-full bodied, succulent, and a bit sanguine. This is a really nice, highly traditional Rioja. Maturity is setting in, but can go another 3 – 5 years depending on your preferences. 2.5 Stars [8/17/14]
Alvarez de Toledo, Godello, Bierzo 2010
Sparkly golden yellow with hints of green. On the nose, lots of very nice floral perfume, with fresh orchard fruit, mineral, and spice. On the palate, fresh pear, citrus/pineapple, plum, apricot, and flower nectar, with lots of mineral and spice, and bitter almond as well. Full bodied, penetrating, and fleshy, with fruit skin-like tartness. Delightful and unique. 3 more years. 2.5 Stars. [11/1/14]
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