A few dinner wines from this last week

2019 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Reserva

Ruby. Blackberries, anise, blueberries, very fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice, spices, blueberries, juicy, long. 91

 

2010 Faustino I Gran Reserva 

Ruby. Blackberries, vanilla, blueberries, some spices, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, fruit driven, liquorice, a very firm bottle, even with a few hours open, it didn't really open up. Romero Z bottling. 91

 

2004 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva

Ruby, brick rim. A very mature bottle with dried fruits, liquorice, figs, dates and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dried fruits, figs, dates, liquorice, rose hips, leaner finish. A very mature bottle. Unusually so. 88

 

2018 Gutierrez de la Vega Rojo y Negro

Ruby. 5200 bottles made. Scented, blackberries, anise, blueberries, lifted, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, blueberries, juicy, fruit forward, elegant, nuanced, good length. 90

 

2016 Château Doisy Daëne

Pale golden. Peach, apricots, vanilla, fruit forward and nuanced nose. Fresh acidity, peach, pineapples, apricots, pure and detailed, vanilla and spices, long. 94

 

2012 Château Coutet

Golden. Apricots, peach, pineapples, creamy, some caramel notes far back, or rather toffee, fruit forward nose. Fresh acidity, creamy, fruit forward, juicy, peach, pineapples, apricots, juicy and fresh, some grilled pineapples and again a touch of caramel, long finish. What a beauty! 93

 

2008 Marc Colin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru La Garenne

Towards lemon yellow. Yellow fruits, some hazelnuts, citrus and grilled lemons nose. Fresh acidity, apples, citrus, minerals, some hazelnuts, detailed, nuanced and elegant, long. Getting brighter and crisper with air. 92

 

2020 Chanin Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Bright ruby. Red berries, floral, fruit driven, nuanced, bright nose, not quite as lifted as last bottle, yet still hugely seductive. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, red fruits, strawberries, some liquorice, juicy, elegant, lovely balance, long finish. 93