Archive for March, 2008
Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2002 Bodegas Ondalán Oyón Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
70% Tempranillo, 30% Graciano. Medium-dark cranberry in color with a dark burgandy core. This wine is literally overflowing with violets, rose petals and cassis with the occasional hint of leather and spice. Interesting earthy quality to the nose that doesn’t appear on the palate. Round with silky tannins and a nice gentle acidity,this wine is incredible. While violets are still definitely present on the plate, I’m picking out more of a black cherry essence – nothing overwhelming, just subtle and lovely. 4.5/5
Ryan
2002 Bodegas Ondalán Oyón Rioja Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
Dark wine for a reserva. The nose immediately reminds me of violets and cassis, with lot’s of other things going on. Definite roast beef note sitting in the middle with mixed dark fruits and spices sitting around the edge. In the mouth this wine is nice and rich, with a full mouthfeel, and a medium to strong acidity. Elegant wine with some great fruit, think blackberry and black currants. Not what I expected and such a pleasant surprise, modern in many ways, when it comes to flavor, but succulent and elegant when it comes to body. 4/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2005 Bodegas Ondalán Oyón Rioja Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
87% Tempranillo, 13% Graciano. Medium cherry in color that is both brilliant and consistent. On the nose, this wine is shows fun soy and chocolate notes with a faint underbelly of black licorice, black cherry and peppercorn. Bright acidity in the front and side of my mouth, with gentle fine tannins and medium body. It shows a really fresh and peppy vibrancy that gently fades into the background leaving pure black cherry flavors. I wouldn’t say this is the most integrated wine, but rather an elegant and feminine wine that needs a bit of time to pull itself together. 3/5
Ryan
2005 Bodegas Ondalán Oyón Rioja Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
Nice deep red color to this wine. Restrained nose with lots of stewed fruits, light cinnamon spice, and a raw meat component. In the mouth this wine is soft at first with a nice sharp acidity. Fine tannins that never really make theirselves known come in at the end. Flavors are cherry dominant and this wine lacks a bit of balance. There is a earthy note as it opens with some minerals, and it might just need some time to settle down and come together fully. 3/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2003 Vallformosa Rioja Primum Vitae Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
100% Tempranillo, Maceration-fermentation with the skins for at least 15 days at a maximum temperature of 28ºC. Minimum ageing between oak cask and bottle of three years, at least one of which in French and American oak cask. Medium red in color and showing dried red tea notes, spice box, subtle dark cherry notes and on the very end, a touch of charred wood. In the mouth, the wine is bright, with extremely fine tannins and an over kilter finish. The acidity come into the mouth, darts past the mid palate and lightly caresses the back palate, leaving you with a disjointed tangy sensation that feel off. Not my cup of tea. 2/5
Ryan
2003 Vallformosa Rioja Primum Vitae Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
Great red color again though very light intensity. Dirty barn nose with apple peal and cobwebs in my glass. In the mouth this wine is gross. Not corked, but it has to be flawed. NR (flawed)
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2004 Vallformosa Rioja Primum Vitae Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
100% Tempranillo, aged for 3 years of which at least 1 was in French and American oak. Nice vibrant cherry color with a slightly darker core, showing well, more cherry. Again, this wine reminds me of its Joven brother on the nose with pure Luden cherry aromas; however, this wine is more expressive on the nose, as if your sticking your entire head in a bowl of candy cherry goodness. In the mouth, the wine shows a vibrant acidity in the back roof of the mouth, leaving lingering flavors of cherry and pure clove. Lacking a bit of backbone and complexity, this wine may need a little pick me up to entice me back. 2/5
Ryan
2004 Vallformosa Rioja Primum Vitae Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
Beautiful cherry color to this wine. The nose on this wine is fresh and alive with a great spring time character. Light spice, with cherries(fresh off the tree), apple skin and an overall airy nature. Great acidity in the mouth where oak starts to show and a vanilla/clove spice notes dominates. Firm, fine tannins coat the mouth with a lightness that begins to be overwhelmed by the oak. Cherries, red currents, and other flavors start to be taken over by sawdust and wood. Dry finish that seems hollow and void of life. 2/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2006 Vallformosa Rioja Primum Vitae Joven – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
100% Tempranillo, carbonic macerated and casked for 10 days. Brilliant medium cherry in color with a rather odd nose that is both reserved and delicate, showing only the faintest aroma of Luden’s cherry drops and nutmeg. Wow, twirl this wine a thousand times, and I doubt you’re going to come out with much more than a fleeting scent. Very light in body with medium acidity. This wine is your basic pizza wine, nothing that will knock you over with unique character or vibrancy, but not bad. 2.5/5
Ryan
2006 Vallformosa Rioja Primum Vitae Joven – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/28/2008)
Pure red that is very light in intensity. Red meat nose with some spice box, can muffled cherry fruit. In the mouth this is a very light and fresh wine with a simplicity that is not offensive. Light violet flavors mix with cherries and a fresh acidity. Light tannins suprisingly show on the finish. 2.5/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2007 Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (3/27/2008)
60% Garnacha, 30% Viura and 10% Tempranillo, Clay/Calcareous and Alluvial. After about twelve hours macerating with the grape skins, the wine ferments for 25 days in small, 1000 litre wooden vats, which is where it is kept for 2 months before being bottled. Pale rose pink in color, showing delicate but aromatic cranberry, bing cherry and cream notes. In the mouth, this wine is surprisingly fresh and alive, with good structure and long expressive finish. Flavors of crisp green apple, bosque pear and delicate cranberry notes dance in the mouth, without leaving that common dried flower aftertaste that typically puts me off. 3.5/5
Ryan
2007 Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (3/14/2008)
Palest pink with a light cherry nose that is floral but quite restrained. Somewhat full in the mouth with a medium acidity that keeps this wine very fresh and alive. Cherry/Cranberry flavors with a simple but enjoyable palate. 3/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2004 Bodegas Muga Rioja – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/27/2008)
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo y Graciano aged for 24 months in barrel. Dark opaque cherry I color showing dark spices, cherries, black earth, vanilla and dark flowers on the nose. In the mouth, the wine is spicy with firm tannins and bright fresh acidity. Although the woody notes are still present, they don’t overwhelm the palate, but add just enough structure to bolster the dark fruit flavors. Just a touch empty in mid palate for my liking, but overall, I like this wine. 3.5/5
Ryan
2004 Bodegas Muga Rioja – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/21/2008)
Very dark wine with a nose that is full of minerally spice and dark black fruits. Currents and earth seem to come through on this wine who I suspect will be quite different in a few hours. In the mouth this wine is full of fruit and wood. Big tannins that a medium acidity attempts to balance, and I believe with some time they might succeed. Dark flavors of smoke, black fruit and richness. Modern wine that needs either a few hours decanting or a few years of cellaring. 3.5/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2007 Bodegas Muga Rioja Blanco – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/16/2008)
Viura 90%, Malvasía 10%, Clay/Calcareous and Alluvial. Slow fermentation in new French oak and 3 months on fine lees. Pale yellow in color showing delicate aromas of lemon and pear with just a hint of wood on the end. Very well integrated and sensual. In the mouth, the wine is dry with a gentle acidity that perfectly drapes over my tongue and slowly ebbing away to leave only a light floral finish. This is an incredible wine, elegant and feminine, showing a range of flavors from white flowers to lemon grass over a lovely cream base. 4.5/5
Ryan
2007 Bodegas Muga Rioja Blanco – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/16/2008)
Very pale in color with light barrel aromas that mingle with rich pear notes and white flowers. Great example of barrel fermentation adding to the richness of the nose without becoming the nose. In the mouth this has a huge acidity with a lemony freshness. Minerals, and light clove come in on the finish of this fully dry wine. Fresh and lively summer sipper. 3.5/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2005 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga (Reserva) – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/27/2008)
75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo and 10% Graciano, Clay/Calcareous and Alluvial. This wine is aged for 6 months in wooden vats, 18 months in new French oak barrels and at least 12 months in bottle. Dark, almost black, in color with streaks of midnight blue. Notes of black cherry, dark bitter chocolate and freshly ground coffee with a slight veil of vanilla that appears right at the end bouquet, is intoxicating. Viscous and dense in the mouth, with firm tannins, big acidity and lots of oak, it’s immediately clear that this wine needs amble time to open and develop. Rich, spicy on the palate, while bursting with dark cherry and charcoal flavors, make sure you decant this well before you intend to drink it. This is a big wine that needs a lot of patience to experience its full glory! 4/5
Ryan
2005 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga (Reserva) – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/14/2008)
Dark as night with a nose that is full of chocolate, black cherry, and coffee flavors. Thick and oaky on the palate with thick dense tannins and cherry flavors. At first pour too much but with 3 days of bottle age with cork in top, this wine really developed nicely softening up considerably and beginning to show a complexity that warmed me up to this wine in the long run. 4/5
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
Gabriella
2001 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva Viña Lanciano – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/29/2008)
Dark and rich burgundy red in color with a clean cassis and cream nose laced with the occasional cinnamon, black spice and chocolate note. This wine screams modern in comparison with reserved cherry flavors in the mouth. Light in body, dry with good acidity, and firm, fine tannins. Nice, overall wine, that may need some time to express its full potential. Curious if there is some complexity hiding under here that just needs some cellaring to come out. 3.5/5
Ryan
2001 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva Viña Lanciano – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/29/2008)
Deep meaty red color to this wine. The nose is kirsch, cassis, fat chocolate notes, and presents itself as very modern. The wine is full in the mouth with a medium acidity and and firm fine tannins. Rich cherry flavors, and big fruit, are unyielding as this wine will require a bit of time to open. A more dense Rioja, with sublty that has yet to show itself. I think this wine will be nice with a few more years in bottle, finally revealing the hidden spices that lie out at the edges. Fully dry and with a medium long finish. 3.5/5
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