Oaked
927. Lopez de Heredia-Viña Tondonia, Viña Tondonia Blanco Rioja Reserva, 1999
The Spain theme was also present in the whites, and this showed the real quality and subtler, smoother power of Tondonia Blanco Reserva over …
926. Vega Sicilia, Alión Ribera del Duero, 2011
A Spain-themed MW blind practice courtesy of Peter McCombie had this little beauty in the reds. I might have been a long way off …
925. Filipa Pato, Nossa Calcário Tinto Bairrada, 2011
In my ‘Odd Reds’ line-up, I thought I’d put my first Baga. And this showed how good it can be when expertly handled by …
923. Domaine de Montbourgeau, l’Etoile Savagnin, 2011
An entertaining highlight of my ‘Odd Whites’ open tasting. 3 years under flor for 100% Savagnin / Gewürztraminer. Its flavour makes it great for …
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 …
919. Château Gruaud Larose, Grand Cru Classé Saint-Julien, 1989
[A boire dans ???, signed Nicolas] Another POTG dinner, this time Nicolas Sinoquet the MD of Gruaud-Larose. And another 1989. Pale-mid garnet; broad brick …
917. Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains, 1989
[Eric Baugher signature. March 10, 2015]. The highlight of a Ridge dinner at Planet of the Grapes, with Eric Baugher, who leads day-to-day winemaking, …
915. Bodega Catena Zapata, Catena Alta Historic Rows Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza, 2011
Once again a very classy wine from Catena, at the Alta quality level. A lovely Cabernet. Vanilla and cinnamon entry. Rich, ripe, focused cassis …
914. Villa Cafaggio, Cortaccio IGT Toscana, 2004
From a blind tasting practice paper I set, this is a pure Cabernet from the Chianti Classico zone. Not sure I’d have placed it …
912. Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot, Volnay 1er Cru Les Pitures, 2006
This was an exam example that didn’t arrive in time for an open tasting, so I just opened it for pleasure. A fully-mature – …