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$144.95
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PG 96
Spain
-
Red
In stock,
2
available
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Not yet reviewed; 2009 vintage rated 96 points by both Peñín Guide and Rhone Report, which wrote: "The flagship offering and a blend of 100% old vine Garnacha, the 2009 Bodegas Alto Moncayo Aquilon, aged in 70% new French oak for 24 months, is brilliant wine that displays uncommon levels of finesse and elegance paired with decadent, hedonistic fruit. Showing gorgeous aromas of raspberry creme, vanilla, jam coated toast, and fresh flowers on the nose, this medium to full-bodied Garnacha is perfectly balanced and proportioned on the palate, showing an overall elegant, finesse-driven frame that.s covered with sweet fruit, a seamless, pure texture, and very fine, polished tannin on the finish. It's certainly approachable now (needs two hours in a decanter), yet it will be even better in 2-3 years, and drink well for a decade or longer."
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$199.95
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WA 97
PG 97
IWC 95
Spain
-
Red
In stock,
4
available
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List $330.00
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97 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2006 Vina El Pison comes from a single Tempranillo vineyard planted in 1945 on pure limestone. The wine was aged for 16-18 months in new French oak. It has an ethereal nose found only in the greatest wines. Toasty oak, wood smoke, truffle, wild blueberry, and blackberry liqueur are striking and complex. This is followed by a layered wine with an elegant personality that still has plenty of grip, breadth, and length. It is a tour de force that will provide pleasure over the next 20-25 years. (Feb 2008)"
97 points Peñín Guide: "(tempranillo 100%). Colour: deep cherry. Nose: cedar wood, dark chocolate, ripe fruit, complex, expressive, powerful. Palate: powerful, flavourful, complex, fruity. (2009)"
95 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$330 list] Glass-staining purple. Darker fruits on the nose than the Pagos Viejos, offering a heady bouquet of blackberry, mulberry, smoky bacon, anise and mocha. Explodes on the palate, showing sweet, concentrated cherry and dark berry flavors and exotic Asian spice and candied floral qualities. The tannins are completely absorbed by the fruit, which is enlivened by slow-mounting minerals. Finishes on an expansive dark fruit liqueur note, with excellent clarity and persistence. I couldn't get this off my palate, not that I tried very hard. (Sep/Oct 2008)"
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$169.95
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RR 98
IWC 95
Spain
-
Red
In stock,
2
available
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98 points Rhone Report: "A thrilling Clos Erasmus that I think will be up there with the '01 (and possibly the '98) when all is said and done, the 2009 Clos Erasmus Priorat, an old-vine blend of 70% Garnacha and 30% Syrah aged for 22 months in barrel, delivers a textbook Erasmus bouquet of jammy raspberry, creme de cassis, cedar, licorice, flowers, dusty minerality, and vanilla that is decadent and exceedingly rich, yet somehow stays vibrant, fresh and delineated at the same time. Already voluptuous and hedonistic on the palate, with layers of fruit, beautiful freshness, and a full-bodied, rich texture, this nevertheless has solid underlying structure that emerges over the evening. Gorgeous all around, this is sublime now, yet deserves 3-4 years of bottle age, and should have upwards of 15 to 20 years of longevity. (Mar 2012)"
95 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(60% garnacha and 40% syrah): Bright ruby. An explosively perfumed, fruit-dominated bouquet displays raspberry liqueur, cherry-cola and candied plum, with notes of violet and incense adding complexity. Deeply pitched but energetic in the mouth, offering sappy red and dark berry flavors and a smooth, seamless texture. Floral and spice notes linger on a very long, subtly smoky finish. This seductive wine is approachable now, with some decanting, but I'd give it at least another seven years of bottle age. (Oct/Nov 2011)"
Importer notes: "Clos Erasmus was born in an afternoon with the purchase of some old vines of Garnacha by Daphne Glorian, who happened to be in the area visiting some friends. Although she had no intention of purchasing such a plot or starting a winery, her friends (Alvaro Palacios and Rene Barbier) convinced her that amazing wines could be produced here if given the right attention. They were right. The wine was named after the philosopher Erasmus von Rotterdam as an allusion to his essay 'In Praise of Folly' and an answer to all who dubbed the enterprise pure madness. What started as a ‘fun’ project soon became a very serious endeavor as the Priorat earned a fame that surprised all of the growers by the rapidity of its ascent. Clos Erasmus is now considered one of the benchmarks of the region and has received consecutive 100 Point scores from the Wine Advocate, the only wine of Spain to ever achieve such critical praise."
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$169.95
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RR 100
IWC 96
Spain
-
Red
In stock, 12+ available
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100 points Rhone Report: "Absolutely monumental and rivaling the 1998 and 2001, the 2010 Clos I Terrasses Priorat Clos Erasmus is comprised of 80% Garnacha, 15% Syrah, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in French oak. It always comes from three vineyards: Escalas (1.1 hectare), Aubagues (2.4 hectares), and Socarrats (3.5 hectare). Deep, serious, and still holding a lot in reserve, it has incredibly pure, detailed aromas and flavors (black cherries, olive tapenade, spice, herbs), brilliant concentration, perfect balance, and a seamless, elegant, yet thrillingly long and structured finish. Despite the overall size here, it never comes across as heavy, always stays pure and ethereal, and is oh so polished. Give bottles 3-5 years in the cellar, and enjoy over the following two decades or more. Spectacular on all accounts! (Mar 2013)"
96 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Opaque ruby. An intensely perfumed bouquet displays scents of black raspberry, redcurrant, Asian spices and incense, with slow-building floral and mineral qualities. Sweet, concentrated and polished, with silky texture and noteworthy intensity to its sappy red fruit and violet pastille flavors. Finishes sweet, spicy and extremely long, with relentless flavors of red berries, minerals and candied flowers. This wine's blend of power and finesse is something else. (Sep 2012)"
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$189.95
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RR 96
IWC 93
PG 93
Spain
-
Red
In stock,
2
available
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96+ points Rhone Report: "A legendary wine in the making, the 2009 Clos Mogador Priorat is a blend 40% Garnacha (from 80 year old vines), 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and 5% Pinot Noir, Mourvedre and Merlot, that's aged in new, 500-liter oak casks for a year before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Gorgeously perfumed, with a liquid-mineral, creamy raspberry, currant, earth, and licorice-driven bouquet, this full-bodied effort hits the palate with a dense, structured feel, layers of fruit, and defining acidity that emerges on the finish. Almost impervious to air and drinking brilliantly for the 3-days I had the bottle open, this powerful, yet perfectly balanced, Priorat needs 3-5 years of bottle age, and will shine for over two decades. (Dec 2012)"
93 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(a blend of garnacha, carinena, cabernet sauvignon and syrah): Inky ruby. An explosive perfume of candied dark berries, potpourri, woodsmoke and cola, with a strong mineral overtone. Sappy and penetrating, offering sweet cherry compote and cassis flavors and bracing minerality. Puts on weight with air and finishes with firm tannic grip and lingering floral and spice elements. By all means give this wine at least five more years of age. (Sep 2012)"
93 points Peñín Guide: "(garnacha, cariñena, cabernet sauvignon, syrah). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: earthy notes, overripe fruit, dark chocolate. Palate: powerful, flavourful, fine bitter notes, good acidity, round tannins. (2013)"
92 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Clos Mogador has a more opulent, luscious bouquet than the 2008, with lifted, high-toned floral fruit (iodine, star anise and sloe) and a smudge of warm alcohol. The palate is full-bodied with succulent, gamey dark fruits and an underlying earthiness that should develop with bottle age. It exudes fine tension and poise and is very expressive on the structured finish, which will mellow nicely. (Apr 2012)"
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$112.95
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IWC 90
Spain
-
Red
In stock,
6
available
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Direct from the winery! (Dec 2011) We had the opportunity to taste this wine in May 2011 at a library tasting of Cune wines ranging from the 1973 vintage to present. We were amazed at the freshness and vigor of these wines.
CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) is one of the most renowned and historic bodegas in all of Spain. Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo, the company has been an integral part of the Rioja region’s ascendance in the world of fine wine. With their combination of traditional roots and innovative vision, CVNE has been one of Rioja’s most reliable sources for high quality wine. The company is still run by descendants of the Real de Asúa brothers, now represented by the fifth generation with current CEO Victor Urrutia Ybarra. Cune is the winery where the company began in 1879. It still sits on its original site, Barrio de la Estación, in Haro, Rioja Alta, directly next to the train station. They produce white, rosé, crianza, and reserva wines, sourced almost entirely from Alta fruit.
The Finest Wines of Rioja: "Imperial is one of the icons of Rioja and one of the strongest and most prestigious brands in Spain. It is produced as Reserva and, in exceptional years, Gran Reserva, though the latter will most probably disappear in the future, leaving only one Imperial... Current vintages age for at least 36 months in oak barrels... Imperial is archetypal Haro: serious, austere, subtle, refined, fresh, and balanced. It ages magnificently and, along with Viña Real, remains our favorite of the CVNE wines, even though the company now has more expensive wines in its portfolio... 1995 is remarkable among more recent wines. (2011)"
90 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good full red. Deeply pitched aromas of smoke, minerals, leather and truffle. Supple and silky but nicely penetrating, with ripe, intense flavors of cherry, minerals and oak perfectly framed by harmonious acids. Subtle, textured Rioja finishing with good grip and thrust. (Jul/Aug 2003)"
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$119.95
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Spain
-
Red
In stock,
6
available
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Direct from the winery! (Dec 2011)
We had the opportunity to taste this wine in May 2011 at a library tasting of Cune wines ranging from the 1973 vintage to present. We were amazed at the freshness and vigor of these wines. The 1985 Reserva, composed of mostly Tempranillo with some Grenache and Mazuelo, showed extremely well, with evolved aromas of red cherry, vanilla and spice. Supremely suave and complex, and remarkably fresh for a 26-year-old wine, it still retains a good backbone of acidity and refined tannins. While this wine is drinking beautifully today, it is not likely to fade for years to come.
CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) is one of the most renowned and historic bodegas in all of Spain. Founded in 1879 by the Real de Asúa brothers, Eusebio and Raimundo, the company has been an integral part of the Rioja region’s ascendance in the world of fine wine. With their combination of traditional roots and innovative vision, CVNE has been one of Rioja’s most reliable sources for high quality wine. The company is still run by descendants of the Real de Asúa brothers, now represented by the fifth generation with current CEO Victor Urrutia Ybarra. Cune is the winery where the company began in 1879. It still sits on its original site, Barrio de la Estación, in Haro, Rioja Alta, directly next to the train station. They produce white, rosé, crianza, and reserva wines, sourced almost entirely from Alta fruit.
The World of Fine Wine recently conducted a tasting of fully mature Rioja wines from vintages between 1939 and 1982, concluding "beyond dispute that the famous Spanish region is capable of genuine greatness." Master of Wine Simon Field wrote: "Early-ripening, meek Tempranillo, seemingly soft of fruit and color, does not seem an obvious candidate for longevity. Nor, for that matter, does quixotic Garnacha... And yet these wines have mostly aged wonderfully; oxidative regimes have engendered astonishingly few oxidized wines; and extensive aging in both barrel and bottle have not produced especially old bones. The best examples married sweet and savory elements, secondary and tertiary characteristics marrying in a supremely harmonious and lengthy ceremony. (Issue 32; 2011)"
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$119.95
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Spain
-
Red
In stock,
7
available
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Producer notes: "70% cabernet sauvignon, 30% monastrell (old vines). Cherry covered. Notes of leather, toasted bread and ripe fruits mixed with a touch of spices. It results are intense, concentrated and complex, a little bit sophisticated and with resources to meditate on and savor its extraordinary richness of extract."
Not yet reviewed; 2009 vintage rated 94 points by International Wine Cellar: "(made from a blend of 70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% monastrall; 15.5% alcohol): Inky purple. Dark berry preserves, cola, smoky oak and sandalwood on the intensely scented nose. Weighty and broad, with unlikely vivacity to its ripe blueberry and cherry compote flavors. Toasty, sweet and velvety in texture, with superb finishing thrust and persistent sweetness. This exotic, velour-like wine gains spiciness and floral character with air, and shows a suave blend of fruit and tannins; it should be even better with a few years of bottle age. (Sep 2012)"
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$144.95
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IWC 94
Spain
-
Red
In stock,
6
available
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94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Pale orange-red color, greeny-gold at the rim. Knockout ethereal nose combines strawberry, minerals, maple syrup, black toffee, truffle and autumn leaves. Juicy, pungent, precise and minerally; a Chambolle style of Rioja, weightless in the best possible way. Dry, brisk and fresh, with penetrating cherry fruit. This will get your salivary glands working. Finishes bright, subtle and long, with easygoing, perfectly integrated tannins and a whiplash of flavor. (Jul/Aug 2003)"
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$109.95
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WA 95
PG 93
IWC 92
Spain
-
Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $135.00
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
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95 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 DOIX Costers Vinyes Velles reveals a deep purple color with outstanding aromatic complexity. Notes of liquid minerality, licorice, lavender, Asian spices, and black cherry lead to a supple, savory effort loaded with spice and personality. There is a nicely concealed structure that will allow the wine to evolve for several years although it is approachable now. It will be best from 2013 to 2028. (May 2011)"
93 points Peñín Guide: "(garnacha, cariñena, merlot). Colour: bright cherry. Nose: ripe fruit, sweet spices, creamy oak, expressive, earthy notes. Palate: flavourful, fruity, toasty, round tannins. (2011)"
Importer notes: "[$135 list] The Doix family originates from Poboleda and has been in the winemaking business in the region for the last 5 generations. As far back as the late 1800's the property has been recognized by the quality of their vinous fruit, but it wasn't until 1998 when Ramon Llagostera took the reigns of the property that the wines began to experience worldwide fame. Like other areas of the Priorat, Poboleda lies at high altitude and is characterized by steep, rock-covered hillsides. The vineyards of Mas Doix lie at between 350 and 400 meters above sea level. The vines are planted on what appears to be pure grey and black slate, with no dirt visible at the surface. Yields are extremely low (as low as 15 hl/ha in some parcels) and re-planting is extremely difficult given the topography and soil structure. The vines vary in age between 70 and 100 years old. Doix Costers de Vineys Velles 2008 is comprised of 50% cariñena, 48% garnacha, 2% merlot. Aged 16 months in new French oak barrels."
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