La Rioja Alta Rioja Blanco Viña Ardanza Reserva 2005
La Rioja Alta is but a stone’s throw from my other favorite Rioja producer, Lopez de Heredia. The pedigree of the 2005 Reserva Viña Ardanza is evidenced by layered, complex aromatics—leather, terracotta roof tiles, plums and sun-baked figs, Madagascar vanilla bean and a lofty top note of char. In the mouth, it’s medium bodied, but […]
R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia 2002
I was actually, sadly disappointed in this bottle. With muted aromas and flavors, it lacks the complexity I expect from Lopez de Heredia wines. Most likely, it’s been stored incorrectly somewhere on its journey, from the producer to my cellar. R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, S.A. Flawed
Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado 2014
Lovely, lively and oh so drinkable, Muga’s Rioja Rosado was a must-buy after tasting their budget-friendly reds. Salmon-hued with notes of watermelon and cherry blossom and interestingly—dried coconut flake and dried pineapple. The 2014 is a blend of 60% Garnacha, 30% Viura, and 10% Tempranillo grown in alluvial and calcareous soils. It’s medium-bodied and softly […]
Familiar Eladio Piñeiro Envidia Cochina 2013
Aside from the curious albeit intriguing story about the “Poisonous Worm of Envy” that graces the front label (is a reference to poison on a beverage label ever a good thing?), the 2013 Eladio Piñeiro Envidia Cochina is a plunge into a world of grassy olive oil, fresh herbs, saline and brine, interlaced with lemon […]
Bodega Numanthia Toro Termanthia 2009
The Numanthia Toro Termanthia 2009, generously shared by fellow Vivino user and friend, Rick Halprin offers up a lavish bouquet of steeped blackberries, black cherry, anise, and aged leather. Painted with a broader brush as compared with little brother, Numanthia, it’s voluptuous and expansive on the palate, with velvety fine grained tannins and a commanding […]
Bodega Numanthia Toro Numanthia 2009
A wine that fellow Vivino user, Rick Halprin generously shared, the 2009 Numanthia is inlaid with fabulous, complex notes of black cherry, Italian plum, bittersweet chocolate, maple, heliotrope, and dusty, sun-baked earth. On the palate, the tannins are structured and slightly grippy, and the alcohol is well integrated—given that it’s at 15%, Numanthia carries it […]
Muga Reserva Rioja Muga 2009
Bodegas Muga Reserva Rioja 2009 is a praise-worthy blend of traditional grape varieties: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 7% Mazuelo, and 3% Graciano. Like an old and beautiful tapestry, there is a lovely interplay of dried roses and violets, brambly fruit and ripe Italian plums, saddled horses and red clay soil. This lovely pastoral scene, and […]
Bodegas Ostatu Rioja Alavesa Blanco 2012
The Ostatu Rioja Alavesa Blanco 2012 is a blend of 85% Viura and 15% Malvasía and is slightly more mineral-driven than the previous vintage, and smells of warm rain on wet cement, lime zest, and buttercups. I love how dry and lean the palate is, all acidic verve, with a lovely textural component. Wet shell, […]
LAN Rioja Reserva 2005
Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva 2005 is one of my favorite value wines from the region. Notes of plump, juicy black cherries, baking spices, saddle leather and dried herbs permeate the glass. In the mouth it’s silky, yet slightly rustic with nicely integrated, mouth-coating tannins. If you haven’t had LAN, buy it, put it in the […]
2014 in Review
2014 was, for me, a monumental year. I have been very fortunate to have attended some fantastic industry tastings throughout much of the year. I’m also presently working my way through the WSET courses, studying wine and regions as much as my schedule allows. These wines were the highlights of my year, a tough list […]