-
1996 Señorío de San Vicente Tempranillo Rioja San Vicente - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
[Opened about 45 minutes before drinking.] Muted nose of red fruit and mulch.
Tannic red currant fruit with drying tannins on the finish.
May improve significantly with more age. Judgement reserved.
-
1994 Bodegas Campillo Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
[Opened about 45 minutes before drinking.] Sour mulch nose. Cold, tannic.
As it warms and breathes, it shows much better. Tasty. (90 points)
-
1996 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva
- Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
[Opened about 2 hours before drinking.] Muted slate and cherry nose. Complex, long, tarry.
Best wine so far. Really stands out. My #3 wine by a close margin. (93 points)
-
1995 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva Viña Lanciano - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
[Opened about 40 minutes before consuming.] Dried cherry nose. Muted, tarry, sour.
Not much. Bad bottle?
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
0l>
Flight 3: Late 1990s, early 2000s, part 1
Mixed Greens in Rioja Vinaigrette and Fontina Cheese. Tasty, but a poor choice with these wines.
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
-
1998 Artadi Rioja Viñas de Gain - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
[Opened about 40 minutes before consuming.] Tarry, tannic, but elegant. Needs time.
Has potential. (92-94 points)
-
2001 Bodegas Sierra Cantabria Rioja Cuvée Especial - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
[Opened about 40 minutes before consuming.] Black cherry nose. Long, complex finish. Bright future.
(93-94 points)
-
2001 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva Selección Especial
- Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
[Opened about 40 minutes before consuming.] Similar nose to the wine just before.
Sweet, silky, with a touch of tannin. Drinking very nicely tonight.
My #2 wine by a narrow margin. (93-94 points)
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
Flight 4: Late 1990s, early 2000s, part 2
Osso Bucco with Tarragon Mashed Potatoes.
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
-
1998 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
[Double decanted around 4pm with 30 minutes of air. Served around 8:30.] Sweet red fruit nose.
Delicious, long complex wine. Great balance. WOTN for me. (94 points)
-
1998 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
[Double decanted around 4pm with 30 minutes of air. Served around 8:30.] Sweet, pleasant, mature.
Ready now. (91 points)
-
2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial
- Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
[Double decanted around 4pm with 30 minutes of air. Served around 8:30.]
Elegant, sweet, slightly tannic. May need a little time. (91 points)
-
2001 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva
- Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
[Double decanted around 4pm with 30 minutes of air. Served around 8:30.] Black fruit.
Sweet and tasty. Not showing much complexity tonight, but appealing wine. (92 points)
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
Summary
A very interesting and educational tasting.
We did not vote in our usual way for wine of the night.
Instead we first voted for our favorite flight:
Flight 4 won hands down with 11 votes.
Flight 2 got 2 votes.
Flight 3 got one vote.
We then each just gave our top wine of the night:
3 said wine #8 and 3 said #10.
2 each said #12, #13, and #14.
1 each said #9 and #15.
Notes posted from CellarTracker
All the wines.
People Photos
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
The Not-So-Last Supper.
Chef/Owner Mike Dorato comes out for a visit and a bow.
All original content © Ken Vastola