1959 Rioja on a camping trip! (with pics)

I brought this camping for a close friend’s 55th birthday this weekend. With it, some decent glasses and decanter I use for traveling (Stölzle glasses and a 2L Erlenmeyer Flask). This was car camping outside of Glacier, WA, so I didn’t feel too decadent bringing some fun wine (the first night was all microbrewery beers from a great store in Bellingham.

On to the wine: 1959 Bodegas Palacio Rioja Glorioso Reserva Especial. I Andouzed it for a few hours, then decanted for sediment and served up six glasses. A beautiful and crystal clear brick color with scant ruby, and no change in the meniscus. The nose was spectacular: dense cigar box, old leather, licorice, caramel, and a hint of bold red fruit. The palate was also wonderful; crisply acidic but balanced, remarkably fresh. What a great experience!

Fortunately, I have a couple more bottles, as I’m also a '59’er.
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That’s LIVING!!!

A couple of more photos.
This was a WineBid acquisition from a now defunct restaurant in Spain.
Last week, I opened three '64 Riojas for Kathy’s 50th (She’s Jim’s wife), and all were still intact and beautiful.
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Have had a handful of those bottles and most showed surprisingly well! Those old palacios wines were really something! Everything you wanted from old Rioja, sounds like a perfect occasion and setting to drink as well!

Just a few photos from our weekend; not directly wine related, but nice just the same.
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Funny, I had the wine tonight, as well. Lovely stuff. Silky mouthfeel, still showing sweet fruit with a bunch of tertiary development.

Wow Brad; I’ve noticed our palates align, but that’s quite a coincidence!!! [cheers.gif]