#campo viejo rioja wine review | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dugglesse · 3 years ago

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I've been getting more into wine lately and bought several bottles this month. As an exercise, I figured I'd share some notes. Any feedback would be appreciated on how to write better notes, as well as wines to try.

To preface this, I would just like to say I am an absolute amateur. I had my first bottle of wine (Pinot Noir) when I was 21 and primarily stuck to Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon since. Lately I've wanted to expand a bit and figure out what suits my tastes best. In addition, I've been making my own fruit wines and meads for a few years now, and I figure learning what I do and do not like in a wine may help me improve in that regard.

If I say anything just blatantly stupid below, I apologize in advance: again, I am an amateur looking to expand my view on wine. I have never once written a review before now.

I'll start with a list of what I've purchased this month, then get into what I've drank so far with a bit of review attached. Again, any feedback on how to improve with notes would be greatly appreciated, and any recommendations for future wines even more so! I'll break down the purchases as well as the source.

Bright Cellars (Figured I may as well try it out)

2020 La Cueca Carmenere Dancing Juice

2020 Nihilist Wine Co. Malbec

2020 Obscura Pinot Noir

2018 Crypsis Petite Syrah

2018 Worst Evils Grenache

Wine.com

2018 Chateau Laribotte Sauternes

2017 Adriano Marco e Vittorio Barbaresco Basarin (Nebbiolo)

2013 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone

2018 Louis Guntrum Rheinhessen Dry Riesling

Canals Bottle Stop

2016 Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Haut-Lieu

2015 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 50th Anniversary (Sangiovese)

2014 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Crianza

Blandy's - Madiera Bual 5 year

2015 Caparzo - Brunello di Montalcino

2012 Chateau Musar - 'Musar Jeune' Blanc, Bekaa Valley

2009 Cypres De Climens - Sauternes

Graham's - Tawny Port 20 year old

Graham’s - Six Grapes Reserve Port

Savory & James - Amontillado

Williams and Humbret - Dry Sack Sherry Medium Dry

Grocery Store Purchases

2018 and 2019 Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend

2019 Apothic Merlott (I know, I'm sorry)

2017 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza

2019 Luigi Bosca Malbec

2016 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva

2017 Faustino Crianza

Beringer Bros. Barrel Aged Bourbon Red Blend

Buck Shack Zinfandel

Now for what I've actually drank and some notes. If you're still with me at this point, I apologize for the length of this post.

2019 Louis Guntrum Dry Riesling

This bottle for me runs into the same issue I have with most dry whites. High acidity that doesn't really feel balanced by much else. It reminds me of some apple wines I've made. Bright, fresh fruits, but the acidity somewhat overpowers the flavor and makes it slightly unenjoyable. I wouldn't reach for it again, but it wasn't terrible. Just not for me. 6/10 (I don't understand the 100 point ranking system so I'm going with "out of 10")

2017 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza

i bought a few bottles of rioja after doing some research on this sub. This one was the middleground of the three bottles. Decent on tannins but the oak felt artificial. Dry, earthy, spice-like notes. Body wasn't where I wanted it to be as it felt somewhat thin even with the mouth-gripping tannin. 5/10

2017 Faustino Crianza

My favorite of the grocery store riojas. Body felt full and was accompanied by spicy, peppery notes. Not strong on fruit in general, but cherry notes stood out. I think this one I would describe as "leathery". 8/10

2016 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva

The worst of the three. Body was watery and the taste matched. Tannins were present but I would describe this one as oak water. No real notes on the taste. Not for me. 3/10

2019 Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend

Not a super impressive bottle, but I liked it. This bottle made me understand what people mean when they say "jammy". I did love the body of this wine as it felt thick and full, but the taste just felt manufactured, if that makes sense? Not necessarily artificial like I'll mention with some of the others, but just not quite genuine. I feel like I would appreciate this one more had I tried less wines. Doesn't stand up to the Faustino Rioja. I don't think it's worth the ~$30 price point, but if it were $15 or so I would probably consider buying it again. 6/10

2009 Cypres de Climens Sauternes (Barsac? I don't really know the difference).

I don't like sweet things generally. I don't eat desserts, candy, etc. I don't even really eat bread. But dear lord, this wine gave me an erection. And an upset stomach. Honey, nutty, and an overwhelming apricot. The body was thick and syrupy. I drank most the 375ml bottle and felt like I was going to vomit, but couldn't help but to come back for another sip. It felt like it lost complexity as I made my way through it. Toward the end it was almost just an apricot syrup, but still outstanding to me. 9/10

2019 Luigi Bosca Malbec

I don't know what it is, but I don't think I've had a Malbec that has impressed me. Maybe I've just been picking bad ones, because from everything I've read, they should be right up my alley. I don't have much in terms of notes on this one. It was okay. I wouldn't buy it again. 4-5/10

Beringer Bros. Barrel Aged Bourbon Red Blend

Not at all for me. Not at all good. Felt and tasted artificial in every sense. Not even "oak water" just... disappointing. 2/10

Buck Shack Zinfandel

I think this bottle was where I decided to stop buying grocery store wines and start doing more research. Better than the Beringer Bros, but still overall disappointing. No strong notes, 4/10

Graham Six Grapes Reserve Port

This was my first port. I'm excited to try the 20 year. This one was okay, but feels one dimensional. I'd describe it simply as "raisins". I like it, but I definitely don't love it. Not as syrupy as the Sauternes but also not anywhere near as complex. Decent sipper. 6/10

2019 Apothic Merlot

I mentioned wines above feeling/tasting artificial, but this one takes the cake. Too sweet and way too much fruit on the finish. I don't think I could even identify a single fruit. Feels like some generic fruit extract was dumped in at the end. I don't have notes on the body, I think I was too distracted by the candy-like flavor of this one. 2/10

As a final note, the bottles I'm most excited for now:

2018 Chateau Laribotte Sauternes

The first one left me very impressed. Again, sweet really isn't my thing, but it was a very unique experience.

2013 Il Molino di Grace Chianti, 2014 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Crianza, and 2017 Adriano Marco e Vittorio Barbaresco Basarin

I think these three will be most in-line with my tastes judging by what I've tried so far and past experiences. The sauternes feels like a once-a-year treat, but these types I can see myself enjoying more frequently. I've also never had a nebbiolo. but the description sounds like it will suit my tastes. Hopefully it doesn't let down.

Edit: And the sherries! I haven't had sherry before, so I'm pretty excited to open one of those, but I'm waiting until I finish the first port.

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