Dull purple in color. The nose is nice. Fresh and earthy with some cherries. On the palate, this has bright cherries. A bit lighter than other vintages. It faded quickly in the glass. Still quite good but this probably needs to be consumed in the next few years if this bottle was representative. More red cherries than black cherries.
Easily the star in a vertical of older vintages of Numanthia. Inky purple in color. The nose has slight coconut with ripe black cherries and some spice. On the palate, this is lush, deep and still youthful. Black cherry fruit. Firm medium tannins. Long finish. Just a delicious wine that will doubtless last another decade and probably two as it matures. This will need bigger food to stand up to it.
This wine is showing its age and was a unanimous choice for last place in our vertical. That said, it is still worth drinking if you own a bottle, just lower expectations. Purple in color. The nose is a bit dusty with just a bit of diluted cherry fruit left. On the palate, this lacks fruit. There is a bit of a root beer note that is interesting. Slightly bitter on the finish. It has some depth. Of course, at age 19, bottles will vary.
This is drinking quite well and youthfully at age 20. Purple in color, no signs of bricking. On the nose there is spice, cherries and funk/barnyard. Still has reasonably firm tannins on the palate. This is deep and complex with slightly jammy black cherry fruit. It is a bit drying on the finish. Overall, this is delicious and seems more like a five to seven year old wine. Should have no problem lasting another decade. It is a big wine and will need bigger food to pair with it.
I bought this on the recommendation of Wes at the local wine store. Good call. It was my tasting group's WOTN (#2 for me). And for $25, a pretty good value. Closer to $18 for those in other states with less restrictive laws. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is initially tight but opens with air. Cherries and some dark cherries with a nice dusty quality. On the palate, this has a juicy and lush texture. Medium tannins. Plenty of black cherry fruit. Good finish. A bit more modern in style but not full blown. This works on its own and will work well at the table too.
Sadly, this was badly corked. A shame as it was my last bottle.
This is a very modern take on Rioja. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is tight. With air it shows black cherries and black raspberries. Also some spice. On the palate, this is deep and delicious. Firm tannins. Bright black cherry fruit. Blind, I would have probably guessed California Grenache. Still, it is delicious and inexpensive (under $20). It would make a great party wine. Not sure how well this will age. It might be fun to lay a bottle or two down.
Ruby in color with slight browning. The nose has spice, clay and cherries. It also has a ton of dill which was off putting to some. The dill does carry thru to the palate, so be warned if that is a sensitivity. Others liked it. Firm tannins. Nice black cherry fruit. Good balance. Works better with food than alone. Pretty classic Rioja in style.
From one of my personal favorite wineries of Ribera del Duero. Inky purple in color. The nose has cherries and a slight bell pepper note. Also some spice. On the palate, nice black cherry fruit. Very tannic and youthful. Good balance. It needs time and air. More modern in style. Needs bigger foods. Should last a decade more with ease. At one time, these bottlings cost over $100, so shop around. A quick perusal sees pricing from $38 to $70. In this particular blind tasting of Tempranillo's, this was my WOTN.
Ruby in color, slight browning. The nose has dusty cherries with slight dill notes and some vanilla. On the palate, this has tart acidity. Tart cherries. It works though as it wakes up the palate. It really demands some food but should work with a wide variety. Good finish. Plan on drinking in the next five years or so.
