2018 Bodegas Ramirez Rioja Reserva Ramirez de la Piscina, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is 100% Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain.  It is very traditional in style.  It opened quickly before shutting down and was just starting to reopen when my glass was empty.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice, slight vanilla and slighter anise.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  The cherries and anise come thru to the palate with a slight balsamic note.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Nice on its own but better with some food.  A nice match for meatloaf with a tomato based sauce.  Drink over the next five to eight years.

Danaus 2022 Red Blend

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This blend of 45% Tempranillo, 45% Garnacha Tinta with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in, this wine, made with organic grapes, is truly a stellar piece of winemaking considering it’s $13 price tag. Not only is it seamlessly blended but the acidity supports the impeccable fruit of blackberry, black cherry, plum, cassis, and light blueberry. There’s a solid core of acidity that runs through this supporting the structure of the wine. A scant four months of aging in small French oak accentuates the fruit.

2020 Aster Ribera del Duero El Espino, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

This is 100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo) from Ribera del Duero in Spain.  Deep garnet in color with some purple hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is more classic with black cherries, cherries, anise, slight coffee and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Good balance.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Loads of red cherries with some black cherries along with a bit of coffee and spice.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  This would work well with roasted duck or chicken.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2019 Aster Ribera del Duero Finca El Otero, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is a beautiful 100% Tinto del Pais (Tempranillo) from Ribera del Duero in Spain.  It is a great example of the style of wine often found in RdD these days.  It's a bit more "modern" and fruit forward than classic Rioja (the region next door).  Purple in color with a think ruby rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight cherries, black raspberries, fresh tobacco, baking spice and slight char.  Great energy and balance.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, this is big but not overdone.  Delicious.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, char

2015 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Rioja Gran Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$37.00USD

This is mostly Tempranillo but also has 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo (according to the label).  This is everything one wants in a Gran Reserva including a reasonable price!  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight sour cherries, balsamic vinegar, vanilla and forest floor.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity and depth.  Flavors of cherries, black cherries, wild herbs, spice and slight tobacco notes.  Long finish.  Mature but plenty of life left.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  This  is great on its

2016 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo from Rioja in Spain.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, vanilla, spice, and tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, cherries, slight charred cherries, spice and forest floor notes.  Some complexity and depth.  This shows some maturity but there is room for further development.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  This is nice on its own and has an introspective quality but also will work well with food.  A nice wine with stews or

2021 Psi Ribera del Duero, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

From the people who brought you Pingus.  This is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha.  It is a big, fruit forward wine.  Inky purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright.  The nose is meaty with black raspberries, black cherries, white pepper and wild herbs.  Medium tannins.  Full bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, black cherries with some black raspberries, spice and char.  Long finish.  Although young, this has nice depth and complexity.  It is drinking nicely but will improve with some short terms cellaring.  Hold for a couple of years and drink for ten to fifteen after that.

2008 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Deep garnet in color with some lighter ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight cedar, dill and dust.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is complex with tight layers.  Flavors of cherries, some black cherries, spice and slight char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It will work well with roasted duck or chicken.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

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