Archive for April, 2008

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Reserva - Bodegas Marques de Riscal

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

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Gabriella

  • 2003 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (3/3/2008)
    100% Tempranillo made from 15+ year old vines, aged for two years in American oak barrels. Dark cranberry red in color, with medium intensity. Subtle mineral and spice notes dusting a rich blanket of black cherries, black raspberries and bitter chocolate. Nice mouthfeel with good acidity and well integrated fruit and wood. On the palate, the wine is delicate and soft with elegant flavors of black pepper, slate and dark berries. 4/5

    • Ryan

  • 2003 Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (3/3/2008)
    Deep red inky cherry color to this wine. The nose is wonderful with graphite and cherry notes the first to hit followed by raspberry notes, and woody, chocolate/cinnamon component. Very Nice wine that in the mouth is full of fine and smooth tannins with a nicely balanced acidity. Chocolate, and cherry and the predominant flavors with a slight edge of black pepper at the end. 4/5

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    Crianza - Bodegas Dinastia Vivanco

    Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

    dinastia-vivanco-crianza.jpg

    Gabriella

  • 2004 Dinastia Vivanco Rioja Crianza - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (4/3/2008)
    100% Tempranillo, aged for 16 months in French and American oak with regular racking and a minimum of 6 months aging prior to release. Dark ruby in color with a dense burgundy core, and thin stringy legs that hug close to each other as they stream down the glass. Extremely aromatic nose showing rich plum, cherry, black pepper and vanilla. In the mouth, the wine shows medium firm fine tannins good acidity and juicy overall mouthfeel. Relatively short but intense red cherry and boysenberry finish that leaves me reeling. 3.5/5

    • Ryan

  • 2004 Dinastia Vivanco Rioja Crianza - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja (4/3/2008)
    Nice deep red color to this one, garnet. Chocolaty nose with lots of wood, dark raspberry and muted spices. In the mouth, the wine is lush and rich with a softness that is very food friendly. Soft tannins, and a medium acidity frame nice cherry fruit and light pepper notes. Cinnamon and clove come in near the medium length finish. Fully dry, and not a bad middle of the road Rioja. 3/5

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    Conde de Valdemar Rose - Bodegas Valdemar

    Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

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    Gabriella

  • 2007 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Conde de Valdemar Rosado - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    85% Grenache and 15% Tempranillo Beautiful dark pink rose in color with a clear, transparent rim. Light cranberry dust and cherry aromas drift from the glass under a light citrus film. Subtle and restrained bouquet, almost fragile. In the mouth, the wine shows medium acidity, consistent throughout, light in body and ending with the exact same flavors as I found in the bouquet, sans citrus. Nice, simple, straight forward rose. 3/5

    • Ryan

  • 2007 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Conde de Valdemar Rosado - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    Beautiful cherry red color to this wine. The nose is fresh and alive with a pure cherry note, that is framed by light vanilla, simple and clean. In the mouth this wine is fresh and alive with a nice creaminess, and dry finish. Medium acidity balances it well with a vanilla cherry profile that shows hints of anise on the end. Well made, simple and fresh rose. 3/5

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    Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva - Bodegas Valdemar

    Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

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    Gabriella

  • 2000 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    Tempranillo 90% and Mazuelo 10% sourced from their own vineyards in Oyon, Logroño and Ausejo and aged for 25 months in American and French oak. Nice dusty, dark, slightly opaque rose in color with a rich medium cranberry rim. On the nose, the wine shows rich cherry and mint aromas under a current of tanned leather and floral notes. Almost mulled wine, but the bouquet seems a little too vibrant to go that far. Interesting mouthfeel, showing fine, but really firm tannins that makes my mouth cry for moisture. Light in body with medium acidity and almost no detectable flavor on the palate. 2/5

    • Ryan

  • 2000 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    Dark cherry red with a solid core. Peanut butter is the first smell out of the glass and makes me take a step back! Herbal(mint) cherry mingles with wood and roasted nuts as it opens. Fine and firm tannins mingle with a medium high acidity in the mouth. Fresh vanilla cherry note, though this wine seems all to simple for a gran reserva. Sawdust, and light spice round out the wine, though finish is somewhat sad and dries out quickly. 2.5/5

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    Conde de Valdemar Reserva - Bodegas Valdemar

    Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

    bodegas-valdemar-reserva.jpg

    Gabriella

  • 2003 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Conde de Valdemar Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    85% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano harvested from vineyards in Logroño, Oyón and Ausejo and aged for 24 months in American and French oak barrels. Dark and dense blood red in color with an incredible vibrancy that leads to a medium cherry rim. Pure dark cherry on the nose, followed by mineral, vanilla and charred oak aromas. Medium to high acidity in the mouth, with silky, medium strong, fine tannins that remain subtle under a spicy, black pepper and dark cherry finish. A touch of oak integrates well into the rich dark berry flavors. Bright, yet sultry, this is a wine for rich meats. 4/5

    • Ryan

  • 2003 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Conde de Valdemar Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    Deep maroon color to this wine. The nose is very inviting and a bit mysterious with a blueberry and violet quality. Dry oak, with some chocolate, and minerals mingle with cassis, and dark cherry. In the mouth this wine is full of fresh and strong acidity combined with fine and firm tannins that coat. Great fruit and a freshness that demands food. Serious wine with lot’s of vibrancy. Fresh cherry, black pepper, charcoal, and integrated oak make for an intriguing and well made treat. The finish lingers and lingers with great ginger and cinnamon spice. 4/5

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    Inspiracion - Bodegas Valdemar

    Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

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    Gabriella

  • 2005 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Inspiración - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    90% Tempranillo and 10 % Graciano, aged for 9 months in French (75%) and American (25%) oak barrels. Clear, brilliant, dark ruby in color with a dark rose rim, showing clean, cherry and vanilla aromas on the nose. In the mouth, this wine an oaky bite right down the center of my palate, with find firm tannins that grip the side of my cheeks and medium acidity. Very delicate cherry flavors glide across my palate, leaving a silky, yet restrained finish. I’m hoping time will chill out this wine a bit, softening the rather sharp edges. 3.5/5

    • Ryan

  • 2005 Bodegas Valdemar (Martinez Bujanda) Rioja Inspiración - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    Deep dark red color to this wine. Grape nose with some blue fruits, and nice smell of the barrel room without the overpowering oak. Almost creamy if that were a smell, and lush like a pillow. In the mouth the softness and creaminess continues with a really well balanced palate. Fine tannins and a medium acidity combine to leave a fresh and dry wine. Grape flavors come to mind again with some violet, herbal notes, and a soft well integrated oak. Nice middle of the road wine. 3.5/5

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    Valdemar

    Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

    bodegas-valdemar.jpg
    Address: Camino Viejo de Logroño s/n, 01320 Oyón (la Rioja)
    Telephone: +34 945 622 188
    bujanda@bujanda.com
    www.valdemar.es

    Founded by Joaquin Martinez Bujanda in 1889 in Oyón, when he worked on 10 hectares of land as a grape grower. As the company expanded, Joaquin’s son, Marcelino, took charge of the company in 1927. Adding additional vineyards, while expanding the winery, Marcelino eventually passed on the business to his son Jesus Martinez Bujanda. He, in turn, continued on the family legacy, but by the late seventies, ownership was once more passed on to his three children: Carlos, Pilar and Jesus Junior. By 1982, Jesus Junior completely revamped the winery to contain state of the art technology, sterile conditions and an eye for high quality modern wines. Currently, the winery owns 400 hectares in Logrono, Oyon, La Esperilla and la Gargantilla.

    Wines Produced: Joven Tinto, Joven Blanco, Joven Rosado, Conde de Valdemar Blanco Fermentado en Barrica, Conde de Valdemar Crianza, Conde de Valdemar Reserva, Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva, Conde de Valdemar Rosado, Garnacha Reserva, Vendimia Seleccionada Gran Reserva, Inspiracion

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    La Dama - Bodegas Aldonia

    Tuesday, April 8th, 2008

    Gabriella

    • 2005 Bodegas Aldonia Rioja La Dama - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (4/8/2008)
      Wow, gorgeous dark ruby in color, so clear and vibrant, I’m tempted to just to stare at its beauty. On the nose, the wine is restrained to me, showing faint aromas of dark cherry and dark spices under a nice thick cloud of rose and violets. In the mouth, this wine shows vibrant acidity, almost racy, with fine smooth tannins and and medium body. After two sips, I’m still trying to find my way behind those tannins, searching for whats beyond the retrained dark cherry flavors, but with time, I think those dark mineral flavors will sneak their way out. 4/5

    Ryan

  • 2005 Bodegas Aldonia Rioja La Dama - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (4/8/2008)
    This is dark, dark, juice, purple to the core. The nose is a modern wine through and through. Big modern black fruits, anise, clove, allspice, and mature wood. Really a great nose to keep you nose in the glass for. In the mouth this wine is fully dry with a nice richness of tannins, medium acidity and great wood integration. Violets, black fruits, smokey minerals, a bit too much oak, though a wine that show’s potential. A young winery, making modern wines that are not ghastly. 4/5

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