Got in the Castillo Labastida Crianza the other day. Was worried about only getting a 6-pack of these, but I think I like the El Pionero more. Nothing wrong with this - and an absolute steal at $8/btl - but it is just what I expect from a quality lower cost traditional Crianza.
2019 Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida Rioja Castillo Labastida Crianza - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/22/2023)
Popped open while cooking ribs - the room was too aromatic to get a good read on the nose, but seems to fit the expectation. Medium bodied, decent tannic grip and structure, and exactly what I expect from a Rioja at this price level. Palate of red cherries with a hint of sourness to them, bramble, and well balanced light oak spices. At PnP the oak was a bit harsh (think sawdust), but it faded away with about 20 minutes of air. Tannins come in and bring along a refreshing lighter mineral profile. Goes into a midly spicy and mineral driven finish.
Very solid, but I think I prefer the El Pionero to this bottling. The DN price is still an absolute steal. (87 points)
Interesting to hear so much interest in 207 now. I gave 2/3 case to a friend who drinks the wine butter and he thanks me every chance he gets. He loved and may never be able to go back to his go to. Ha. I’ve enjoyed learning so much about the Napa palette from this blog. I told myself I was through with my purchases ( no cellar space x 2) but that I would continue to read for entertainment purposes only… I just ordered the latest provencal style rose for 8 bucks a bottle and ordered and received and opened upon delivery lot 68 because of all the excitement. My son, my daughter-in-law and I all enjoyed it but had different takes. They both typically like my European wines buty son tasted no sweetness. Just tannins and acid with the fruit. My daughter tasted some sweetness, acid and tannins. I thought the heat was the first impression, but in a very enjoyable way. To me it wasn’t a food wine but
an excellent evening sipper of which I by few. I am glad I bought a case. Thank you all for wrecking my will power🍷
The 270 RRV Pinot continues to impress. No decant, just poured some in glasses an hour before dinner. It goes down smooth, offers an enticing blend of deep notes, bright Pinot fruit & spice, and follows with a long finish.
Xavier Vignon Lirac tonight (~2hrs decant): meh…drinkable wine but I would not purchase it again.
Has anyone had any luck with the Xavier Vignons sold at DN? I tried 3 so far (Lirac, “La Temperance”, and “L’Etoile”) and didn’t really enjoy any of them. Imo they are way worse than any DN wine. Maybe this is part of the overall marketing strategy for the DN labels…hehe jk
Most probably VitorC, your tastes are much more refined than ours, but we found the $12 Xavier Vignon Lirac (80% Grenache w/Syrah) lighter and more informally delightful than anticipated. We got big ‘thanks’ from two dNé fans that we shared this wine with recently. B+
We have actually quite enjoyed the Lirac. We have finished one case, and have another on order. It has been a very good cellar defender for my other dN cellar defenders!
Thursday evening: Lot 107 2018 Yountville Petite Sirah. Pitch dark purple in glass as expected from a PETS. Nose has beautiful perfume of oak spices and ripe blueberries. Napa PETS are so much more elegant than their Paso counterparts IMO. And this wine is that. Intensely yummy and still very young. Decanted before drinking, but this needs 2-3 years more in bottle to really shine. Should be good with food, but some might call this a “cocktail” wine, which it certainly can be. Really enjoyable.
Thanks for your comment. I think it’s probably the opposite lol. You folks definitely have a better understanding of wine than I do
I am not very familiar with Grenache tbh, maybe that’s the reason. I typically drink cab, syrah, and sometimes PN.
N.68 tonight after so much chatter about it in the last few weeks. OMG, this is so good!!! Definitely in the top 3 of my DN wines! Thanks, Cam!! This will be a great Friday evening.
I bought a case of the N.90 Merlot and the first couple of bottles I thought were underwhelming. I opened another one tonight and I thought it was much better than the previous two. This is a very enjoyable wine that also goes well with food. I am not sure if there is some bottle variation but I hope the reaming ones are as good as the one I had tonight. This is a solid well made wine and I think it is a 90 point wine from the bottle I had tonight.
I am very impressed with the quality of wines that Cam is able to deliver at this price point.
Party of 25 ppl with mostly charcuterie type food. Random night of friend sharing their music talent with each other. Half the group was “wine aware” half were “I’m only denying half a glass and what wine is the good sweet stuff”
Served
328 - of course great with cheese and cured meats. It’s a Fav Chardonnay in our house along with 245 and 167. It’s an easy wine for the wine naive and the ones who enjoy a good chard. Hopeful for 330.
239 - for ppl who didn’t care about white wine With cheese just wanted a good robust red - 2 wine drinking ppl asked me where they could get this wine.
240 - ) predictable and enjoyable, again very accessible to both non experienced and experienced palates
205- Merlot - i enjoy this wine. As did the group. Was the last of the night so not particularly paying attention
3 “wine aware” friends asked us about “ we see all the same labels, but different wines, where do we get them?”
Brief answer: I’m not rich enough to serve 8 bottles of expensive wine to y’all so here’s what denegoce does for me. ( I’m still scared by the old sprint “friends and family” program that I never suggest they use a referral for a discount ) but I did say “ look the company up” several times.
We had a De Negoce Friday night:
“Wine O’clock” (5PM here) started with VIP sourced Lot 121 2018 Knights Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Delicious guava, ripe pear and pineapple notes which I enjoy with this “Fume” style when well done- this is a gem. Wife noted: “Hey this is that De Negoce Suavignon Blanc right?” without seeing what I poured for her.
Dinner smoked Rib Eye on pellet grill provided an excellent match with Lot 44 2018 Rutherford Cab. Dusty tannins, dark fruits with a very nice long finish, unfortunately, my wife drinks de Negoce Cabs with me- she is not like Scott_B’s wife that drinks white wine. So I HAD to SHARE more than I wanted of this extraordinary Cabernet. Lucky man Scott…
Glad to see a review on 44 as I had this around 12-18 months ago. I thought this could turn into a really nice wine with time. Glad to see it’s drinking well so I will open a second bottle soon.
You are both funny and correct Lucky Tim!
However, I’m not lucky enough to have any #44
Last night with leftover Prime Rib, I guzzled a Beautiful #57, while Awesome Spousal Unit enjoyed her Tisdale (Gallo) Pinot Grigio on ICE, lotsa ICE…
Truth: When I have her sample any Red, she says: “It would be better on ice.”
Luckily, we have an automatic ICE maker, which may wear out soon?
Cheers!
I will be hosting a blinded wine party later this spring. Each couple will bring 2 bottles of the same variety & approximate geography (for example California cabs, Washington bordeaux blends, Australian shiraz, etc) - but at two different price points - one bottle over $70 and one under $30. (My arbitrary price points) The matched pairs will then be blinded before tasting/ranking. These will probably all be pop & pour, unless you think I should have everyone double decant prior to bringing the bottles. If someone prefers a cheaper wine when we reveal everything - great!
I intend to use a De Negoce cab as my value “ringer”. Without me spending hours reviewing this thread - which cabs do you think are drinking the best NOW? Not those that may drink great with more bottle age, but now. My case of 68 just arrived, and I like that one, we have already drank through two cases - but anything better? I have every “multiple of 50” offering, but haven’t been opening them yet. Thanks!
Todd,
Have not tried any #68 yet, but one of my favorite dN Cabs is Lot 6 - “lively and expressive” in description and every bottle has been “best yet” of 3 tried in last 2 years. It’s a 2017 vintage too. My wife and I really enjoy that Cabernet, so much so that I usually try to provide her with the glass with a line on it, so I get more Cabernet
Decanted this afternoon. Really started opening up at the 4 hour mark. Pretty serious stuff. Fruit is starting to come to the fore now. Shy nose. Obviously built to age.
Definitely in the top 3 of my DN wines! Thanks, Cam!! This will be a great Friday evening.
