A hot vintage from Priorat. Erk, I am worried. A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Carignan, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A ripe nose, black cherries, raisins, liquorice, minerals and leathery notes. On the palate, a bit uncouth really, raisiny, with dry spices, a lick of leather, and quite short too. Initially seemed to be drying out a bit, but fleshed out nicely with some time in the glass, losing some of the dried fruit characters, and improving texturely. Pretty good, but perhaps it would have been better when bought it a few years ago. Drink now. 88 points. 14.0% abv.

Purchased a couple of years ago, and an example of wrong thinking, in that every wine does not necessarily get better with some bottle aging.

A bit varnishy on the nose, stinky and leathery too. On the palate, sour red fruits, red leather, and some stinky, mossy, minerally and stoney characters. The fruits are still brightish, and the palate is holding together, but their light is fading and my take-away from this bottle is “drink up”. About $25 I think. 14.5% abv. Go the Hawks! 83 points.

I will prefix any comments by the statement that this was one of those “is it corked? isn’t it corked?” types of bottles; one moment I was convinced it was, and then a minute later and a swirl of the glass and I wasn’t so sure. Perhaps it was just some funky bottle stink.

On the nose, graphite, black fruits, earth and spice, funk, with a touch of vanilla. The palate showed an abundance of rich fruits and stoney minerals: raspberries, red cherries, black cherries, black cola and a strong core of minerals. Firm tannins, and perhaps a bit rustic. A dry finish with a touch of varnish. Medium to full bodied, and still quite youthful. Drink 2010-2014. Retailed in the low $20s. 87? points.

A blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha. A complex and intriguing nose, showing red fruits with a touch of mulberries, earth, pretty aromatics like rose petals, and spices like mace, with mushrooms, malt and roasted nuts. A lot going on. The palate follows on from the nose, with terrific balance, beautifully smooth and creamy in texture, slightly nutty and oh so gnawish. On the fuller side of medium bodied and very satisfying with some cooler weather. This is good – can I have some more? $60 on purchase. 14% abc. Drink over the short term, perhaps now-2012 or 2013. 92 points.

This one slipped through the net; I don’t think it really is a cellaring wine. But it wasn’t undrinkable, so I am lucky. In the glass, there was some browning. A rustic nose, rough raspberries, stones, gravel and a touch of old socks. The palate showed red fruits, dried herbs, horse hair, brown sugar and red pencils. Some abrasion on the finish, and certainly better with food. Drink now. 13.5% abv. $25 on purchase. 81 points.

Google tells me that “La Vendimia” can be translated as “harvest”. Made as a joven wine, which I believe means that the wine is meant to be consumed within a year or two of vintage. Hmmmm, I have been slow off the mark again. This wine is a blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo. Two bottles have been consumed, and with pretty consistent results. On the nose, cherries, undergrowth, stones, underbrush and a bit of earth. The palate showed cherries and mulberries, a stony dryness and fine tannins. With time it gained some complexity. Holding up well for a wine that was supposed to be in the wheelie bin a couple of years ago. I wavered over the score during the evening, 87, 89, 88, but I think 88 seems about right. Drink up!

Rated : 88 Points
Tasted : Aug09
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $28
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2009
Source : Cellar

You gotta love a wine in a wire cage; it just shouts “Beware! Danger!”. This is of course nonsense. A complex and elusive nose: black plums, red cherries, spice, graphite, warm leather, coffee grounds and a touch of cedar. The palate is also packed with flavours, showing cherries more than plums, wood spices, nuts, blackberries, herbs, sweet earthy spices and cinnamon. Savoury and a touch rustic, though there is some fineness about it, medium bodied and very satisfying. My first encounter with this wine, and very enjoyable it was. I will have to look out for subsequent vintages.

Rated : 92 Points
Tasted : Jul09
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $48
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2014+
Source : Cellar
Website : Marques de Riscal

I bought this as a taster a few years ago; time to try it. Plums and spice, minerals and river stones, mixed with a touch of black pepper. A simple palate: raspberries and plums, with a sprinkle of spice and a tangy finish. The tannins are soft. This wine has barbeque written all over it. Drink now.

Rated : 86 Points
Tasted : Jul09
Alcohol : 13%
Price : $19
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2010
Source : Cellar

If you only like positive and uplifting reviews, then look away now.

Like removing a band-aid, I will try to keep this short. A bright red in colour, but an almost vicious nose: pine resin, acetone and old leather. A lightly bodied palate, with thin cherry liqueur and old wood spirit, some rancio characters and a feral edge, finishing with pine needles and then an anti-septic aftertaste. Only purchased 3 years ago so I am surprised this wine is over the hill already; perhaps it was stuffed before it got to me. Hopefully not an indicative bottle.

Rated : 79 Points
Tasted : Jul09
Alcohol : 15%
Price : $55
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2009
Source : Cellar
Website : Telmo Rodriguez

The 200-acre Finca Valpiedra vineyard is located in the heart of the Rioja Alta, and has been owned by the Martínez Bujanda Family for more that two decades. This is my first encounter with the wine. Lots of stuff happening on the nose, and in no particular order, showed cream, milk chocolate, cherries, coffee beans, minerals and rust. The palate is beautifully textured with loads of finesse, creamy oak and red currants through the mid-palate, tangy pureed tomatoes and minerals. The tannins are excellent, and still a little grippy, which I quite liked. Tasty plus plus.

Rated : 93 Points
Tasted : Jun09
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $60
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2009-2013+
Source : Cellar
Website : Martínez Bujanda