“Merry Christmas, you filthy animals!”, is what I imagine lab rats say to each other.
This was a fantastic holiday surprise, as we received the delivery of an intriguing 2015 Rioja early enough to plan out a nice roast lamb dinner to go with it. Thank you, o’ shipper of wine, because that made for a glorious meal and wine pairing!
So, on to this 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano bottle of yum. It pours a dark cherry in color, and medium bodied in appearance. There’s a must of sweet balsamic and dark fruits on the nose, but no worries, there’s absolutely no hint of vinegar on the pallet.
Upon first sip, I got some dark cherry in the flavor, and also some other dark berries like blackberries. Overall, the first taste was a lot of grapey and dark berry goodness.
After a few more sips, I realized that there is a sweetness, but not lingering. It’s like a deep grape jammy-ness right towards the beginning of the flavor evolution, but not for long. There’s an earthiness and herbaceous quality that cuts the sweet soon after it begins, without being vegetal, and a soft undertone of maybe amaretto and vanilla.
For the food pairing, having it with the roasted leg of lamb (stuffed with garlic and rosemary) brought out a touch of cloves in the finish, and other baking spice flavors. It matched with the meal so perfectly, we were sort of blown away by how much we were enjoying it. It was nice and tasty on its own, but once the food was plated, it reached new levels.
I found it to be extremely smooth, and even if the word drinkable is generic, I have not had many wines that fit the description better than this one. Hard to believe it has a 14.5 ABV.
This one sticks with the pallet for a good bit, and I was able to appreciate all of the aforementioned notes for a while, even after it was sadly gone. (it went fast)
I enjoyed this wine a lot and its arrival instigated a wonderful meal experience. Thank you once again, Casemates! It’s my pleasure to drink some wine for you and ramble about it for a few paragraphs.
We were delighted to see an incoming bottle of a Rioja in time for Christmas. We have truly enjoyed a number of excellent wines from Spain and Portugal over the years and the Iberian peninsula has been a hotbed of excellent value for us.
We received a bottle of 2015 Finca Torrea Rioja from Marqués de Riscal, which is a major producer in Spain. The Finca Torrea is a Tempranillo heavy blend with Graciano. Alice gave us plenty of prep time, which allowed for some very careful holiday pairing.
For Christmas evening, after allowing for a 45 minute uncorking, we paired the Finca Torrea with Spanish Manchego cheese, prosciutto, and summer sausage. The cork was only lightly colored purple for about 1/16”, and holding up well for five years. At pour, the nose for me was plum, blackberry, pepper, and some floral notes. On first taste in addition to the initial nose was stronger blackberry and some leather, which I’d expect from a mature Tempranillo. The blackberry still comes through pretty strongly, along with a bit of the alcohol. The flavors linger for quite a while on the palate, and several swirls of the glass yield very long legs.
My wife’s notes were peppery, robust and sun-dried tomatoes on the nose, with plum, a teensy amount of cinnamon and clove, and tomato on the tongue. We both thought the wine paired very well with the Manchego and prosciutto.
Additionally, we brought in a non-wine drinker, but with excellent tasting skills who noted the nose as raspberry, strawberry syrup, and grape Jolly Rancher. We all felt the wine was totally at home with the cheese.
For our Christmas meal, we pre-planned slow cooked Permile Pork, rice and Sofrito Beans to take full advantage of the Spanish heritage. After being corked overnight, the wine still displayed all the characteristics of Day 1, and was an outstanding accompaniment to our Christmas meal. If anything, the flavor of berries was increased and the alcohol notes were diminished.
Heading into this I was fully expecting an excellent deal, and we were not disappointed. Although many Tempranillos are best young, this one seems to be at or approaching its peak and I would not hesitate to recommend anyone looking for a nice Spanish red from a known major vintner to dive in.
I had the nice surprise of receiving the 2016 bottle last week, so it had plenty of time to rest from its journey.
It was opened at a cool room temp of temp of about 58-60. Natural cork closure in good condition. Color is what I would describe as a very dark ruby. Maybe Garnet but considerably darker. So dark you almost can’t see though it (but it is translucent, no cloudiness or noticeable sediment).
First I will say that I do not have much experience with Rioja wines at all, so I didn’t know what to expect and can’t reference any examples of either “good” or “not so good” Rioja wines for comparison. I deliberately wrote my notes first before researching it or seeing other reviews, so as not be swayed by what I was told to expect.
On nose I got very noticeable (in a good way) dark cherry, plum, subtle clove and pepper (but not green pepper like some Cabernets). The spice elements were pleasant and not overpowering. On initial opening I did notice some “heat” from the 14.5% alcohol, but not extreme. The “heat” did dissipate fairly quickly.
For taste I got what I noted as “powerful dark red fruit flavors.” I would describe it as a “mouth-filling” taste that develops over several seconds. It seemed focused on the front of my mouth and cheeks. I would describe it as like a good Pinot Noir but much darker (in both color and flavor) and without the bright cherry of some pinots. I did not notice any smoky or earthy notes.
The initial taste did have some perceptible tingling “heat” on the tongue. It wasn’t overpowering, and did mostly clear up when tasted about an hour later.
I tried it along with a variety of food I had around (just random stuff, basically)
It went well with a white cheddar cheese.
Black olives, not so much, but OK.
Crab legs, not really appropriate, but I didn’t expect it to be (I’d go for a dry riesling or sauv blanc probably for that).
Ham was a very good match; I expect it would go well with most pork dishes and also smoked meats.
I’d say this is very pleasant though it’s not really my typical type of wine I drink so honestly I didn’t know what to expect. I hope to learn more about Rioja wines and maybe become more accustomed to what I should expect and how I would use it.
I think it would be good for serving to a group in a dinner (when we can have groups in a dinner again!). I would recommend decanting for about 1+ hrs to build the flavors and reduce some of the heat that you get on initial opening. Because of its intensity I don’t see it as a “sipping” wine on its own; it think it is much better paired with some food items, even just something small like a cheese plate.
For a price point I had guessed this may sell here for $12-16 at a case price, so now that I see the listing I can see that was a good guess. I didn’t try to guess retail price since I really don’t know that market at all. Thanks casemates for the surprise opportunity and a chance to experience something new.
Literally drank a bottle of their 2001 Gran Reserva yesterday (from Casemates offer a few weeks ago) with Xmas dinner, and we absolutely loved it. Was very sad afterwards that I had only picked up 3 bottles. This is obviously not a Gran Reserva, but now that I know what Marqués de Riscal can do with a Rioja, I’m very excited to have the opportunity to get my hands on some more of their wine. In for a case.
Sorry, late to the party with my RAT report on the 2016.
Received in in plenty of time, opened it and served with some light snacks.
I didn’t get a lot of heat, even on pop and pour. Definitely dark fruits and pepper on the nose.
I’m not generally a fan of jammy wines, and this one had just enough jamminess to be pleasant without turning me off.
Once it was opened for an hour or so, more dark fruit coming forward, nice on the front, solid finish. I would agree with the other rat who suggested this would be a good wine to serve to a group of friends with a decently paired meal. I think it would punch above it’s price point in that setting.
Overall, a good bargain for the case price, and I’ll probably pick up a case, though I’m almost out of space…
I believe the 2016 was on MorningSave mid-December at $24.50/btl. It looks like the same bottle and I have two. Going to open one of the bottles, but today is a very busy day. 2nd Day of Christmas with family!
@Boatman72 Ok, It was a crazy busy day yesterday! After popping the cork and let it breathe for a 1/2 hr, I tried a sample before glazing a ham. I noticed a little alcohol at first, but nice strawberry and cherry fruit with nice cinnamon spice! On further samples, the alcohol became well integrated.
The second day was a great surprise, a very smooth easy-drinking wine with all the same fruit, cinnamon, and spice. Some say this is a drink now wine, I disagree!! I’d say 3 -5 years because it’s so vibrant and it hung in on day 2!
I’m sold on this wine and ordering a case! Now I have to figure out where to store this!
Just being a pain, nothing else to do while waiting for my hapless Chicago Bears to kick off…anyone care to show where this is a $50 retail wine? It’s 24 euro at the winery, so no discounts and add a tariff might push it to mid 30’s USD, but this seems to be pretty much a $25-$30 wine, not $50.
Ok, back to throwing some poppers on the grill and finding something hoppy to drink.
@pmarin
Ahhhh the good old days when humor didn’t need to denigrate a group of people, and used more then ‘4 - letter words’ to make things funny. Signed Benny Hill
@PLSemenza@pmarin@chipgreen
As Cole Porter said:
Good authors, too, who once knew better words
Now only use four-letter words
Writing prose
Anything goes
Id think just based on the varietal this grape would need 10 years - interesting to hear it’s reaching its peak according to the rats. Either way I’m a sucker for rioja in all shapes and forms and this is a terrific producer.
@pete0744 I just posted a LabRat review (a few posts below this). I am a total novice on Rioja wines so probably the opposite of your level of experience. From my tasting, I would tend to agree with you that this is likely to improve for many years. I think it’s certainly drinkable now, though I’d recommend decanting for about an hour if serving it now.
@pmarin thought your review was great! imo Spain / Portugal offer the best qpr wines in the world. This wine should go 20 years - maybe more - aged Tempranillo is a wonderful thing. I drank a bottle of 2000 the other night and it was beautiful. 15/16 were also great vintages in Rioja - If you have the space this is a screaming deal to sit on some bottles for a decade or two.
@pete0744 Hi Pete- I was basing my “peak” comment on the leather notes, which usually show up when it is mature. This very well may have the potential of the Riserva or Gran Riserva, which can go for decades. The Riojas are typically a bit younger and less tannic. Still- I loved this “as is”.
88 Points. Ripe berry and raisin aromas are desiccated and jammy. An edgy tannic palate deals flavors of raisin, prune, toast and black pepper, while a short but dense finish confirms that this is a ripe modern-style Tempranillo. MS 12/1/18
From Anthony Gismondi (?)
Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea 2015 88 points.
Youthful juicy and approachable, with strawberry, cherry, raspberry, perfumed violets, seasoned with toasted cinnamon and nutmeg, and bracketed with earthy, fine tannins. The palate is cushy and the finish is warm. This youthful Rioja is a blend of tempranillo and graciano fermented in small French oak vats where it remains after MLF for 18 months. Modern style, as reflective of the stylized label showing the plots surrounding the winery where the grapes are sourced. Excellent, approachable introduction to Riscal. TR 1/12/18
This is a modern style of Rioja… see: solely French oak usage whereas traditional Rioja used(s) American. Haven’t had this label from riscal, but from a trustworthy producer, I doubt it would be a miss. The 2015 Riojas I’ve had are pretty tight and need some time, typically. Think you can do better for $20 in Rioja, but still a hell of a deal compared to other regions.
The Rats made me do it!
I bought a case.
Opened up a 2009 Reserva Rioja just to try.
Good on Pop-n-Pour, excellent through the Vinuri.
I’d say better than the two-hour decanted 2013 One Point Five awaiting a Prime Rib dinner.
Casemates pulled out the big guns with the last TG/BlackFriday deal. It left me scratching my head. I have sliced and diced my case of 2000/2001 Rioja every way since. At this point, I am resigned… Anything Marques De Riscal is an automatic case buy. I’ll figure the rest out. Take my money please… Thank you.
“Hot-stone, blackberry, blueberry and lavender aromas follow through to a medium-to full-bodied palate with fine tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink now or hold.”
Black-cherry-colour, with violet hues which signify youthfulness and good evolution. Intense, concentrated aroma with dark berried fruit (plums, blackberries and blueberries) which mingle elegantly with the tertiary aromas from the oak ageing, bringing out balsamic notes of liquorice and eucalyptus, a fine base of caramel and toffee, and a spicy, mineral finish which gives the wine great aromatic complexity. On the palate it is supple and oily, with good backbone, in which the taste sensations appear at all times with great finesse and elegance. It has a very pleasant finish, long and lingering with a balsamic, spicy, mineral retronasal sensation that seems to go on and on.
This wine pairs well with all kinds of meat dishes: roasts, grills, stewed with mushrooms, in spicy sauces… It is a perfect match for free-range chicken and poularde casserole. It can also accompany fish dishes if they have sauces with strong flavours and aromas, such as sea bream or cod with tomato and red peppers. It is also ideal with red tuna fish.
Specs
Vintage: 2015
Blend: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano
D.O.C.: Rioja, Spain
Barrel Regime: 18 months in French oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 3.7 g/L
pH: 3.52
2016 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
Tasting Notes
93 Points ~ La Guia Penin (Spain’s most famous and comprehensive wine guide) 91 Points, Decanter Magazine
Black-cherry-colour, with violet hues which signify youthfulness and good evolution. Intense, concentrated aroma with dark berried fruit (plums, blackberries and blueberries) which mingle elegantly with the tertiary aromas from the oak ageing, bringing out balsamic notes of liquorice and eucalyptus, a fine base of caramel and toffee, and a spicy, mineral finish which gives the wine great aromatic complexity. On the palate it is supple and oily, with good backbone, in which the taste sensations appear at all times with great finesse and elegance. It has a very pleasant finish, long and lingering with a balsamic, spicy, mineral retronasal sensation that seems to go on and on.
Vineyard Notes
The Finca Torrea wine label is an abstraction of the famous architecture of the winery building and vineyard plots themselves. Finca Torrea is different than the wines traditionally produced by Marqués de Riscal. It has a more modern character, with greater fruitiness and fewer balsamic nuances, with a shorter period of cask aging, using French oak casks, and also shorter bottle aging.
Marqués de Riscal is one of the oldest Rioja wineries. Founded in Elciego (Álava) in 1858 by Guillermo Hurtado de Amézaga, the winery has been a reference point at both the national and international levels. The winery itself is literally a work of art, designed and “Wrapped” by Frank Gehry. The winery also features a luxury hotel for guests.
Marqués de Riscal is truly a global brand as it exports 60% of its production, distributing to more than 80 countries. Marqués de Riscal wines have received the highest international accolades as well as numerous awards and mentions in the critical press. It was the first non-French wine to win the diploma of honor of the Bordeaux Exhibition. This diploma was added to the wine’s label and to this day is represented on the wine bottles with pride.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Marqués de Riscal Spanish Rioja Vertical
2 bottles for $39.99 $20/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $159.99 $13.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Marqués de Riscal Spanish Rioja Vertical - $80 = 33.32%
Anyone in San Francisco interested in a split? I could go for four bottles so ideally a three way . I can place the order as I don’t pay for shipping so cost would just be bottle price plus tax. Any takers?
@mikepav The estimated delivery says “Tuesday, Jan 19 - Wednesday, Jan 20”, so this does not seem to be abnormal. (Deliveries are often earlier than the estimated dates.)
@mikepav I received my case today and am very happy I ordered it. Forgive my whiney post. It is wonderful. I found my decanter buried in the cabinet and let it air for 45 minutes.
@sig11 Classic corked characteristics - which means it is from the winery, not shipping or anything. Get in touch with customer service and they should take care of you.
2015 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
“Merry Christmas, you filthy animals!”, is what I imagine lab rats say to each other.
This was a fantastic holiday surprise, as we received the delivery of an intriguing 2015 Rioja early enough to plan out a nice roast lamb dinner to go with it. Thank you, o’ shipper of wine, because that made for a glorious meal and wine pairing!
So, on to this 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano bottle of yum. It pours a dark cherry in color, and medium bodied in appearance. There’s a must of sweet balsamic and dark fruits on the nose, but no worries, there’s absolutely no hint of vinegar on the pallet.
Upon first sip, I got some dark cherry in the flavor, and also some other dark berries like blackberries. Overall, the first taste was a lot of grapey and dark berry goodness.
After a few more sips, I realized that there is a sweetness, but not lingering. It’s like a deep grape jammy-ness right towards the beginning of the flavor evolution, but not for long. There’s an earthiness and herbaceous quality that cuts the sweet soon after it begins, without being vegetal, and a soft undertone of maybe amaretto and vanilla.
For the food pairing, having it with the roasted leg of lamb (stuffed with garlic and rosemary) brought out a touch of cloves in the finish, and other baking spice flavors. It matched with the meal so perfectly, we were sort of blown away by how much we were enjoying it. It was nice and tasty on its own, but once the food was plated, it reached new levels.
I found it to be extremely smooth, and even if the word drinkable is generic, I have not had many wines that fit the description better than this one. Hard to believe it has a 14.5 ABV.
This one sticks with the pallet for a good bit, and I was able to appreciate all of the aforementioned notes for a while, even after it was sadly gone. (it went fast)
I enjoyed this wine a lot and its arrival instigated a wonderful meal experience. Thank you once again, Casemates! It’s my pleasure to drink some wine for you and ramble about it for a few paragraphs.
Happy holidays and new year, fellow cork poppers!
Really could not resist at that case price.
/giphy excellent-indulgent-greenery
2015 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
We were delighted to see an incoming bottle of a Rioja in time for Christmas. We have truly enjoyed a number of excellent wines from Spain and Portugal over the years and the Iberian peninsula has been a hotbed of excellent value for us.
We received a bottle of 2015 Finca Torrea Rioja from Marqués de Riscal, which is a major producer in Spain. The Finca Torrea is a Tempranillo heavy blend with Graciano. Alice gave us plenty of prep time, which allowed for some very careful holiday pairing.
For Christmas evening, after allowing for a 45 minute uncorking, we paired the Finca Torrea with Spanish Manchego cheese, prosciutto, and summer sausage. The cork was only lightly colored purple for about 1/16”, and holding up well for five years. At pour, the nose for me was plum, blackberry, pepper, and some floral notes. On first taste in addition to the initial nose was stronger blackberry and some leather, which I’d expect from a mature Tempranillo. The blackberry still comes through pretty strongly, along with a bit of the alcohol. The flavors linger for quite a while on the palate, and several swirls of the glass yield very long legs.
My wife’s notes were peppery, robust and sun-dried tomatoes on the nose, with plum, a teensy amount of cinnamon and clove, and tomato on the tongue. We both thought the wine paired very well with the Manchego and prosciutto.
Additionally, we brought in a non-wine drinker, but with excellent tasting skills who noted the nose as raspberry, strawberry syrup, and grape Jolly Rancher. We all felt the wine was totally at home with the cheese.
For our Christmas meal, we pre-planned slow cooked Permile Pork, rice and Sofrito Beans to take full advantage of the Spanish heritage. After being corked overnight, the wine still displayed all the characteristics of Day 1, and was an outstanding accompaniment to our Christmas meal. If anything, the flavor of berries was increased and the alcohol notes were diminished.
Heading into this I was fully expecting an excellent deal, and we were not disappointed. Although many Tempranillos are best young, this one seems to be at or approaching its peak and I would not hesitate to recommend anyone looking for a nice Spanish red from a known major vintner to dive in.
Feliz navid y feliz año nuevo!
@benguin986 And at this price, definitely!
/giphy toasted-splendid-candycane
@benguin986 thank you for reviewing, great pics
2016 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
I had the nice surprise of receiving the 2016 bottle last week, so it had plenty of time to rest from its journey.
It was opened at a cool room temp of temp of about 58-60. Natural cork closure in good condition. Color is what I would describe as a very dark ruby. Maybe Garnet but considerably darker. So dark you almost can’t see though it (but it is translucent, no cloudiness or noticeable sediment).
First I will say that I do not have much experience with Rioja wines at all, so I didn’t know what to expect and can’t reference any examples of either “good” or “not so good” Rioja wines for comparison. I deliberately wrote my notes first before researching it or seeing other reviews, so as not be swayed by what I was told to expect.
On nose I got very noticeable (in a good way) dark cherry, plum, subtle clove and pepper (but not green pepper like some Cabernets). The spice elements were pleasant and not overpowering. On initial opening I did notice some “heat” from the 14.5% alcohol, but not extreme. The “heat” did dissipate fairly quickly.
For taste I got what I noted as “powerful dark red fruit flavors.” I would describe it as a “mouth-filling” taste that develops over several seconds. It seemed focused on the front of my mouth and cheeks. I would describe it as like a good Pinot Noir but much darker (in both color and flavor) and without the bright cherry of some pinots. I did not notice any smoky or earthy notes.
The initial taste did have some perceptible tingling “heat” on the tongue. It wasn’t overpowering, and did mostly clear up when tasted about an hour later.
I tried it along with a variety of food I had around (just random stuff, basically)
It went well with a white cheddar cheese.
Black olives, not so much, but OK.
Crab legs, not really appropriate, but I didn’t expect it to be (I’d go for a dry riesling or sauv blanc probably for that).
Ham was a very good match; I expect it would go well with most pork dishes and also smoked meats.
I’d say this is very pleasant though it’s not really my typical type of wine I drink so honestly I didn’t know what to expect. I hope to learn more about Rioja wines and maybe become more accustomed to what I should expect and how I would use it.
I think it would be good for serving to a group in a dinner (when we can have groups in a dinner again!). I would recommend decanting for about 1+ hrs to build the flavors and reduce some of the heat that you get on initial opening. Because of its intensity I don’t see it as a “sipping” wine on its own; it think it is much better paired with some food items, even just something small like a cheese plate.
For a price point I had guessed this may sell here for $12-16 at a case price, so now that I see the listing I can see that was a good guess. I didn’t try to guess retail price since I really don’t know that market at all. Thanks casemates for the surprise opportunity and a chance to experience something new.
@pmarin thank you for the report, love the window pic and the snow!
@pmarin @WCCWineGirl
Yup, but it sure does look like a photoshop job…
Literally drank a bottle of their 2001 Gran Reserva yesterday (from Casemates offer a few weeks ago) with Xmas dinner, and we absolutely loved it. Was very sad afterwards that I had only picked up 3 bottles. This is obviously not a Gran Reserva, but now that I know what Marqués de Riscal can do with a Rioja, I’m very excited to have the opportunity to get my hands on some more of their wine. In for a case.
2016 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
Sorry, late to the party with my RAT report on the 2016.
Received in in plenty of time, opened it and served with some light snacks.
I didn’t get a lot of heat, even on pop and pour. Definitely dark fruits and pepper on the nose.
I’m not generally a fan of jammy wines, and this one had just enough jamminess to be pleasant without turning me off.
Once it was opened for an hour or so, more dark fruit coming forward, nice on the front, solid finish. I would agree with the other rat who suggested this would be a good wine to serve to a group of friends with a decently paired meal. I think it would punch above it’s price point in that setting.
Overall, a good bargain for the case price, and I’ll probably pick up a case, though I’m almost out of space…
I believe the 2016 was on MorningSave mid-December at $24.50/btl. It looks like the same bottle and I have two. Going to open one of the bottles, but today is a very busy day. 2nd Day of Christmas with family!
@Boatman72 Ok, It was a crazy busy day yesterday! After popping the cork and let it breathe for a 1/2 hr, I tried a sample before glazing a ham. I noticed a little alcohol at first, but nice strawberry and cherry fruit with nice cinnamon spice! On further samples, the alcohol became well integrated.
The second day was a great surprise, a very smooth easy-drinking wine with all the same fruit, cinnamon, and spice. Some say this is a drink now wine, I disagree!! I’d say 3 -5 years because it’s so vibrant and it hung in on day 2!
I’m sold on this wine and ordering a case! Now I have to figure out where to store this!
Just being a pain, nothing else to do while waiting for my hapless Chicago Bears to kick off…anyone care to show where this is a $50 retail wine? It’s 24 euro at the winery, so no discounts and add a tariff might push it to mid 30’s USD, but this seems to be pretty much a $25-$30 wine, not $50.
Ok, back to throwing some poppers on the grill and finding something hoppy to drink.
@kaolis
…and what’s with these 2-vintage “verticals”?
@chipgreen @kaolis 2-vintage verticals? perhaps Society for putting things on top of other things?
@pmarin
Ahhhh the good old days when humor didn’t need to denigrate a group of people, and used more then ‘4 - letter words’ to make things funny.
Signed Benny Hill
@PLSemenza @pmarin @chipgreen
As Cole Porter said:
Good authors, too, who once knew better words
Now only use four-letter words
Writing prose
Anything goes
@chipgreen It keeps coming around to Cole Porter, doesn’t it?
@chipgreen @InFrom If Chip wasn’t in the thread I would have let it go (non-Porter musical reference unintended).
@chipgreen @davirom
Id think just based on the varietal this grape would need 10 years - interesting to hear it’s reaching its peak according to the rats. Either way I’m a sucker for rioja in all shapes and forms and this is a terrific producer.
/giphy Magical nice icicle
@pete0744 I just posted a LabRat review (a few posts below this). I am a total novice on Rioja wines so probably the opposite of your level of experience. From my tasting, I would tend to agree with you that this is likely to improve for many years. I think it’s certainly drinkable now, though I’d recommend decanting for about an hour if serving it now.
@pmarin thought your review was great! imo Spain / Portugal offer the best qpr wines in the world. This wine should go 20 years - maybe more - aged Tempranillo is a wonderful thing. I drank a bottle of 2000 the other night and it was beautiful. 15/16 were also great vintages in Rioja - If you have the space this is a screaming deal to sit on some bottles for a decade or two.
@pete0744 Hi Pete- I was basing my “peak” comment on the leather notes, which usually show up when it is mature. This very well may have the potential of the Riserva or Gran Riserva, which can go for decades. The Riojas are typically a bit younger and less tannic. Still- I loved this “as is”.
@benguin986 loved your review - I’m all in here! Happy holidays!
Thoughts on the 2015 from Wine Enthusiast:
88 Points. Ripe berry and raisin aromas are desiccated and jammy. An edgy tannic palate deals flavors of raisin, prune, toast and black pepper, while a short but dense finish confirms that this is a ripe modern-style Tempranillo. MS 12/1/18
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/marques-de-riscal-2015-finca-torrea-rioja-301146/
From Anthony Gismondi (?)
Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea 2015 88 points.
Youthful juicy and approachable, with strawberry, cherry, raspberry, perfumed violets, seasoned with toasted cinnamon and nutmeg, and bracketed with earthy, fine tannins. The palate is cushy and the finish is warm. This youthful Rioja is a blend of tempranillo and graciano fermented in small French oak vats where it remains after MLF for 18 months. Modern style, as reflective of the stylized label showing the plots surrounding the winery where the grapes are sourced. Excellent, approachable introduction to Riscal. TR 1/12/18
https://gismondionwine.com/tasting-notes/201801/marqus-de-riscal-finca-torrea-2015/?note=27256&ref=notes&date=2018-01
fwiw
This is a modern style of Rioja… see: solely French oak usage whereas traditional Rioja used(s) American. Haven’t had this label from riscal, but from a trustworthy producer, I doubt it would be a miss. The 2015 Riojas I’ve had are pretty tight and need some time, typically. Think you can do better for $20 in Rioja, but still a hell of a deal compared to other regions.
I’d be interested in a split in MA if anyone wants to go in
@rmf917 i will split with you for MA
The Rats made me do it!
I bought a case.
Opened up a 2009 Reserva Rioja just to try.
Good on Pop-n-Pour, excellent through the Vinuri.
I’d say better than the two-hour decanted 2013 One Point Five awaiting a Prime Rib dinner.
/giphy olde-grand-ice
I’m counting this as my first 2021 purchase.
¡Joder!
Funds depleted. Really can’t buy any more wine this year.
Sigh.
/giphy brisk-furry-trail
Casemates pulled out the big guns with the last TG/BlackFriday deal. It left me scratching my head. I have sliced and diced my case of 2000/2001 Rioja every way since. At this point, I am resigned… Anything Marques De Riscal is an automatic case buy. I’ll figure the rest out. Take my money please… Thank you.
@winesnob I feel the exact same way.
In for a case!
/giphy comfortable-celebrated-delight
2015 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
Tasting Notes
92 points ~ James Suckling
Specs
2016 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
Tasting Notes
93 Points ~ La Guia Penin (Spain’s most famous and comprehensive wine guide)
91 Points, Decanter Magazine
Vineyard Notes
Specs
Included in the Box
2-bottles:
1x 2015 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
1x 2016 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
Case:
6x 2015 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
6x 2016 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $600/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Marqués de Riscal
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Tuesday, Jan 19 - Wednesday, Jan 20
Marqués de Riscal Spanish Rioja Vertical
2 bottles for $39.99 $20/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $159.99 $13.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2015 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
2016 Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea Rioja
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Marqués de Riscal Spanish Rioja Vertical - $80 = 33.32%
Exquisito!
/giphy delightful-wonderful-sweater
/giphy lucky-naughty-sled
Anyone in San Francisco interested in a split? I could go for four bottles so ideally a three way
. I can place the order as I don’t pay for shipping so cost would just be bottle price plus tax. Any takers?
@davidj94112 I’m in for 4 or more if needed. Inner Richmond, btw.
@kylar Let’s see if we canget a third as I really don’t want more than four bottles for myself.
@davidj94112 worst case I’ll take 8…
@kylar If you want to go 4 and 8 (in the event no one else wants in) I am down for that. Will place the order.
This is my first experience with Casemates. I ordered this wine on December 27th and it still hasn’t even been shipped. Is this normal?
@mikepav The estimated delivery says “Tuesday, Jan 19 - Wednesday, Jan 20”, so this does not seem to be abnormal. (Deliveries are often earlier than the estimated dates.)
@Mark_L Thanks Mark. I guess I am a little impatient. I am excited to try this wine though.
@Mark_L @mikepav FYI - I just got a (delayed) email from Casemates today saying it shipped on 1/6 and is expected to arrive on East Coast on 1/13
@mikepav I received my case today and am very happy I ordered it. Forgive my whiney post. It is wonderful. I found my decanter buried in the cabinet and let it air for 45 minutes.
Balls. I think my bottle of 2016 is bad.
Tastes like wet cardboard or maybe notebook paper.
@sig11 Classic corked characteristics - which means it is from the winery, not shipping or anything. Get in touch with customer service and they should take care of you.
@klezman I figured. Was just a little disappointed
We cracked open the 2015 and it is really tasty!