Tasting this in Apr 2024 it showed sophistication refinement of tannin, stunning flow and harmony. Deeply layered and delicious. A note differing to Guitiérrez' and perhaps a factor of being some 2 years older when tasted. Delicious.The 2018 Roda I is in line with the other 2018s, lower alcohol, grainier tannins and a little more earthy rusticity that to me translates into more character and less polished wines. This was a blend of 92% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano and 2% Garnacha from 30+-y
Thrilled to be able to offer my thoughts on this special wine. Lunch with the full current release set from La Rioja Alta was thrilling. The wines are a demonstration of respect for the past and judicious use of modern technology combined with an approach that offer a style reminiscent of a refreshed classic. No fads here!Exceptional depth and length, wonderful core of vibrant red fruit flowing through with great persistence. Building the secondary proportion of flavours to fruit over the A
If 2008 felt cool and Atlantic, the 2009 Roda I could be described as Mediterranean, from a warm and healthy vintage. Here they aim for black fruit character while the regular Roda should show red fruit. The grapes are sourced from over 30-year-old vines and is mostly Tempranillo with some 5% Graciano. It matured in first and second use French oak barrels for 16 months. It's a warm vintage, without reaching the heights of 2011, but there was some stress in the peak of the summer, which in some w
The 2001 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva is the follow-up of the 1995. There is a sense of harmony and elegance, of nuance and subtleness that wasn't quite the same in the Bosconia, as comparing both wines is inevitable. They started picking the red grapes the 15th of October, and the last grapes were picked the 29th of October with good weather. The grapes ripened properly and thoroughly, and the wine has great balance for a long aging in bottle. This is 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Gr
Thrilled to be able to offer my thoughts on this special wine. Lunch with the full current release set from La Rioja Alta was thrilling. The wines are a demonstration of respect for the past and judicious use of modern technology combined with an approach that offer a style reminiscent of a refreshed classic. No fads here!A seamless, harmonious delight. Superb secondary to tertiary development whilst maintaining exceptional freshness for a wine aged this long. Earthy and savoury with faint l
Tasting the 1994 in May 2023 I was lost in the glass with the delicacy, perfume, vibrant red fruit, perfectly poised acid tannin complex. The sophistication, elegance and intoxicating perfume of the wine, simply astonishing. All from a wine held in barrel for 8 years and further 10 in bottle before release!The only current red Gran Reserva is the 1995 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva, the one that is produced exactly the same as before, including fining with egg whites and sealing with red wa
