I agree. I found them unbearably oaky, at release and then again last year. I still have a couple but sold the rest of the case. It may come around in 20 years, but I’m not commuting the space to find out. Having said that, I had a 1970 Ardanza not too long ago that showed beautifully.
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Interesting! I do have one 1970 Ardanza in my cellar. I’ll give it a go soon…
Looking forward to your take on the 1970 Ardanza..
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Is anyone a CVNE fan? Ive got an 07 Imperial GR that Im trying to decide when to drink.
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I had this wine in Feb 2025. I thought it was relaxing but not close to maturity yet. For me it was more than 5 years away.
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1990 CVNE GR is one of best wines I’ve ever had.
I wouldn’t touch that for 10yrs, but that’s my taste. I’d say give it at least 3 and respectful decant.
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Bodegas Mas Alta Priorat Black Slate La Vilella Alta. Sorry, no photograph. Fell in love with
Priorats on a trip to Eastern Spain at the turn-of-the-century. Found a 2011in the cellar and didn’t know what to expect. We had opened it’s “twin” about five years ago and, while enjoying it, thought that it had probably reached its peak.
No problem removing the cork; beautiful dark purple color, almost opaque; grenacha spice nose; gave it some air for 20 minutes before serving; Black currant and licorice notes on the palate; mild tannins on the finish. Paired nicely with lemon/garlic shrimp bucatini. Not a regal selection, these were a good value for $18 each.
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Black Slate was my awakening irt Priorat. They’re super affordable, but they also show off the range of terroir really well. It really made me appreciate what Priorat can be past the simplistic thinking of : riper, black fruits=bad and gloppy.
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we have drank through about 6 cases of the 2010 Ardanza. in the first couple of cases the bottle variation was wild. i recall my first bottle made me wonder if they somehow poured vanilla into the wine it was so overwhelming! there is definitely a lot of oak in a “good” bottle but you could have had one lime i experienced
(Cross-referencing) another posted TN.
1970 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Rioja Gran Reserva
The best vintage of this producer that I’ve had and will note the consistent lofty level showing of bottles of this that I’ve had the pleasure of sampling over the last 15+ years. Popped and poured, this did not disappoint. A Rioja that had continuously satisfied the classical purists.
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Recently drank a 2017 Muga Reserva, In my experience the Muga Reserva is one of the most dependable, broady liked, broadly available, reasonably priced red wines. Those characteristics are why it is one of my two most common recs (along wiht Zenato Ripassa) for non-wine folks who want to have an enjoyable red for a dinner with family or friends or who are looking for something on a wine list that will not cost a fortune.. For no good reason, I had not had this wine for a long time. But it was the red-fruited, medium-bodied, well-balanced wine I have always found it to be. The only “problem” is it used to be often procurable for $20, and now seems to be closer to $30 But I don’t think that is unreasonable.
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Nice! I had the 2016 example of that recently and it was quite solid. As you note, it’s dual use technology for both oenophiles and normals!
Recent long lunch at Rekondo 1976 Remelluri Crianza. Requested a birthyear Rioja and to not break the bank. Didn’t know it was Crianza until later in the lunch. Beautiful combination of Blasamic, ripe berry fruit and all the good cigar box, forest floor notes. Best part was the price 45 Euro!
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Ardanza needs a lot of years to tame down the oak. I have several 1982’s that are showing well now.
That El Rekondo is a wine-enthusiasts’ godsend. Had a white Remelluri and a 70s LdH GR, both stellar bottles and priced for a song and
just a bit of dancing, when I was last there about 9 years ago.
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Was there in 2016 and again in 2026. Still some great values on the list but some prices have increased. Really need to make it an annual visit!
2008 Caves Velhas Catedral Reserva
Not sure this note belongs here because this was not a good wine but here is the note. This was not stored under the best conditions. The cork was soft but came out in one piece. Deep purple color. Grapey nose. A touch of sourness. Notes of iron and burnt red fruit. 79 points
VM
I have had very limited wines from Portugal and am sorry about your bottle, but as you noted it was improperly storad and that usually wreak havoc on wines.
