Originally posted 1/17/01
Had a few wines with dinner the past three nights.
1981 La Rioja Alta- Rioja, "Gran Reserva 890"
Garnet with glints of tawny in color. The wine had a truly delightful, thought provoking nose of cherry liquor, earth, leather and old wood. Deep thoughts continued on the palate as the wine showed wonderful elegance, depth and a bit of power, too. Similar flavors as aromas. Tannins are soft, but quite juicy acidty provides the backbone here and will keep this wine alive for years to come, though I happen to like the way the wine is showing now. Acidity does stick it's head out a tad more than I'd like on the finish, but this is a very enjoyable wine that was wonderful with lamb chops. Solid A-.
1994 Finca Villacreces- Ribera del Duero
Deep ruby in color. I was worried at first that this was going to be an off bottle. I know some shipments of the '94 got roasted on the way to the NY market and indeed this bottle had a fill of only the base neck/top shoulder and the cork showed signs of seepeage. However, my fears were allayed when I popped the cork and an explosion of sweet black fruit aromas burst out. Lots of rich 'n' sweet, plum and raspberry fruit surrounded by sweet, yet in balance oak. There's a little bit of chocolate and spice in there too. Nicely balanced and I think drinking very well today. More of a fruit bomb than the '95 and '96, which offer more complexity along with fruit, but delicious in it's own right. A-.
1998 Domaine de L'Ameillaud- Cairanne, Ctes du Rhne
My old reliable and still one of the better buys I've had for $8. The color is still purple, but shows signs of moving into the deep ruby realm. Lots of garrigue, licorice and spice on the nose. The spice is now more black pepperish with some clove whereas in the past it's been largely clove that's most apparent. Garrigue, licorice, black pepper and sweet black fruit on the palate, though the fruit isn't as simple or sweet as it was just eight months ago. The Tannins are also showing some change as they have firmed up quite a bit. While a lovely drink now, there's no real rush on them. B+/A-.
Had a few wines with dinner the past three nights.
1981 La Rioja Alta- Rioja, "Gran Reserva 890"
Garnet with glints of tawny in color. The wine had a truly delightful, thought provoking nose of cherry liquor, earth, leather and old wood. Deep thoughts continued on the palate as the wine showed wonderful elegance, depth and a bit of power, too. Similar flavors as aromas. Tannins are soft, but quite juicy acidty provides the backbone here and will keep this wine alive for years to come, though I happen to like the way the wine is showing now. Acidity does stick it's head out a tad more than I'd like on the finish, but this is a very enjoyable wine that was wonderful with lamb chops. Solid A-.
1994 Finca Villacreces- Ribera del Duero
Deep ruby in color. I was worried at first that this was going to be an off bottle. I know some shipments of the '94 got roasted on the way to the NY market and indeed this bottle had a fill of only the base neck/top shoulder and the cork showed signs of seepeage. However, my fears were allayed when I popped the cork and an explosion of sweet black fruit aromas burst out. Lots of rich 'n' sweet, plum and raspberry fruit surrounded by sweet, yet in balance oak. There's a little bit of chocolate and spice in there too. Nicely balanced and I think drinking very well today. More of a fruit bomb than the '95 and '96, which offer more complexity along with fruit, but delicious in it's own right. A-.
1998 Domaine de L'Ameillaud- Cairanne, Ctes du Rhne
My old reliable and still one of the better buys I've had for $8. The color is still purple, but shows signs of moving into the deep ruby realm. Lots of garrigue, licorice and spice on the nose. The spice is now more black pepperish with some clove whereas in the past it's been largely clove that's most apparent. Garrigue, licorice, black pepper and sweet black fruit on the palate, though the fruit isn't as simple or sweet as it was just eight months ago. The Tannins are also showing some change as they have firmed up quite a bit. While a lovely drink now, there's no real rush on them. B+/A-.