Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
- Acorn
- Allegrini
- Andrea Oberto
- Atlas Peak
- Balletto
- Blandy's
- Blue Wing Cafe
- Bodega Navarro Correas
- Bollinger
- Bonterra
- Brassfield
- Burgans
- Cantina Terlano
- d'Arenberg
- Domaine Carneros
- Domaine de la Mordoree
- Dow's
- Dr. Loosen
- Famega
- Fonseca
- Foppiano
- Foxen
- Glen Ellen
- Innocent Bystander
- J. Keverson
- Korbel
- Madeira Wine Company
- Martin Codax
- Masi
- Merryvale
- Mulderbosch
- Navarro Vineyards
- Noceto
- Pahlmeyer
- Plantagenet
- Redwood Creek
- Reynoso
- Roederer Estate
- Sbragia
- Shed Horn
- Sonoma State Wine Business Institute
- St. James
- Vietti
- Wildhurst
- William Fevre
Category Archives: Rioja
R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja 2003
R. Lopez de Heredia, Rioja, Crianza, Viña Cubillo 2003 The smell of this wine pulls me in – there’s a complex mix spices, leather, stewed cherries and raisins. In the mouth the acidity that I associate with Rioja is evident, … Continue reading
Marques de Caceres Reserva 2002
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva 2002 The nose shows some of the herbaceousness that can be found with Tempranillo along with vanilla and cherries dabbed with brown sugar and baked in a pie. The mouth is bright with cherries and … Continue reading
Marques de Caceres Crianza 2005
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Crianza 2005 Unfortunately the first bottle of this vintage tasted in November ’09 had a little cork taint which suppressed the nose and adding uncharacteristic astringency on the palate. The second bottle tasted in July 2010 … Continue reading
Posted in Rioja, Spain
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Caceres Reserva 2001
Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva 2001 The nose smells of stewed cherries, evolving nicely, developing complexity. In the mouth, the characteristic acidity is on display, on a plate of suppleness, with leather, olive and cherries – very nice. The fruit … Continue reading
Posted in Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
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Palacios Remondo La Vendimia 2007
Bodegas Palacios Remondo, Rioja DOC, La Vendimia 2007 The nose offers minty green character with liquer-like fruit. In the mouth it is quite fruity, a little chewy with a light body and a lingering creaminess. The grapes are approximately Tempranillo … Continue reading
Posted in Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
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Muga Seleccion Especial 2004
Muga, Rioja DOC, Reserva, Seleccion Especial 2004 There are sweet brown spices, cherry and light earthiness in the nose. The mouth shows structure, with plenty of tannin and acidity, filled out by the cherry fruit to make this a keeper … Continue reading
Posted in Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
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Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2005
Bodegas Palacios Remondo, Rioja DOC, Crianza, La Montesa 2005 In the nose there are brown spices and a sense of the forest floor while the mouth is supple and fruity, with the acidity I associate with the wines of this … Continue reading
Posted in California, Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
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Artadi Vinas de Gain 2005
Artadi Vinedos & Vinos, Rioja DOC Vinas de Gain 2005 The wine is a bit reductive and needs some air. With a bit of airing, there is a green spice/herbal character in the nose while the fruit is still buried … Continue reading
Posted in Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
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Muga Reserva 2005
Muga, Rioja, Reserva DOC 2005 The nose combines vanilla, smokiness and ash with cranberries and just the right amount of horse blanket and leather. In the mouth, the tannins make a ripe blanket on top of the tart cherry fruit … Continue reading
Posted in Grenache, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo
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Martin Codax Tempranillo 2006
Martin Codax, Rioja DOC, ERGO, Tempranillo 2006 The Martin Codax brand has developed a solid reputation on in the northwester portion of the country in Galicia. With this wine from the Rioja, the brand is throwing its equity behind Spain’s … Continue reading