Carignan
922. Lopez de Heredia-Viña Tondonia, Viña Tondonia Rioja Gran Reserva, 1994
The current release of the Gran Reserva, and it showed the top quality both of the 1994 vintage, and Tondonia. As José-Luis advised, this …
906. Clos Mogador, Priorat, 2010
Clearly infanticide, but this was Grenache in a different league. Deep purple. Brooding, deep nose with a distinctive dusty and schist minerality layered over …
896. Torre de Oña, Rioja Reserva, 2008
Dropped into a tempranillo line-up as an example of wine aged in Hungarian oak. La Rioja Alta use Hungarian for this comparatively modern-style Rioja, …
856. CVNE, Imperial Rioja, 1973
Found in 28-50, and… well… what the hell! Always a gamble, but this 41 year old bottle, though fully mature, had not hollowed out, …
821. Ridge Vineyards, Geyserville Sonoma County, 2011
Another class Ridge Zin. Mid ruby-purple, with a medium rim. Sweet, fruits-of-the-forest bery fruit. Black pepper spice. Oak / wood spice, cinnamon, vanilla, and …
810. CVNE, Viña Real Rioja Gran Reserva, 2004
The exemplar Gran Reserva, and just that: a ripe, deep vintage giving black fruit character, with a careful coating of American oak primarily. Fine …
753. Mylène Bru, Far-Ouest Coteaux du Languedoc, 2011
Courtesy of Ruth playing the blind tasting game with me, this was a fascinating blind trial. After some guesswork & guidance, I got as …
749. Lopez de Heredia-Viña Tondonia, Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva, 2001
Fascinating way to start MW study group studies, blind. A much more satisfying old-school Rioja than the 1991 Bosconia. Pale garnet, with a tawny …
738. Bodegas Riojanas, Monte Real Rioja Gran Reserva, 2001
The final bottle of this, and it showed much better. A classic, old-school Rioja at maturity. Medium garnet with a broad, brick tinged rim. …
713. CVNE, Viña Real Rioja Gran Reserva, 1973
Bought for Andy’s 40th in April. Starting to fade, but once great. Still nice though. Pale garnet with a broad, brick / caramel rim. …