Ontanon, Reserva, Rioja

Another great bottle of one of my favourite wines. It is slightly reticent compared to a few years ago, and strong tasting foods are best avoided.

2010 vintage

Medium purple. Black cherries on the nose. In the mouth, tart cherry, cranberry, blackberry on entry with moderate(-) acidity. Chewy tannins grip and let go with a fairly harsh bitterness, some herbal and medicinal qualities. Leather, graphite, and cocoa in a long mouthwatering finish. Fairly hot finish, and bitter oaky notes of vanilla and hazelnut are found lingering in all phases with this wine. This was pretty closed when first opened, almost fleshy. Opened up in about 3 hours. The …

2015 vintage

Integrated, nut, currant, toast, withered wood, olive, and cocoa nose. Assertive and flavourful palate with good structure and a long, complex finish. 4/5

2015 vintage

Interesting that there is such a big up-tick in quality from the Crianza. With complexity and density here, and going strong right now. Above average in quality, above average in value at $27.

2015 vintage

Pretty classic Rioja with a nice balance between old-school charm and modern polish. You get a mix of red and black cherries, plums, and a touch of dried fruit on the nose, along with hints of smoke, savory herbs, mocha, and even a bit of cured meat. It’s medium(+) in both acidity and body, with soft, velvety tannins and a medium(+) finish. Not the most complex Reserva out there, but it’s flavorful, smooth, and really enjoyable to drink.

2015 vintage

Corked!

2015 vintage

Also shows its wood on the nose, which I like. A little shallow on the palate, and at $30 a little below average as it goes.

2015 vintage

Deep ruby in glass, minimal opacity, medium+alcohol based on viscosity. Nose has medium+concentration, bringing aromas of blackberry, black plum, dried fig, smoke, meat, coconut, dill, vanilla and cocoa, leading to a palate with a fruit forward front palate and a gamey late palate, balanced by moderate acidity and a well integrated tannin profile. Stylistic blend between classic and contemporary Rioja. Medium+body, medium acid, medium tannin, medium +finish

2015 vintage

Smells like older school Rioja, but with some more up front fruit character to it. Delicious to me! Lots of America oak on it.

2015 vintage

Vibrant purple, completely opaque, no sign of age. A hint of liquorice on the nose, which I've never noticed before. Then straight into an enveloping lush berry fruit. perfectly judged fine tannins. Less acidity than previous bottles, but just enough still here. I suspect the disappearing acidity will reduce the pleasure of this wine if the trend continues over the next two or three years. Meanwhile, I'm still enjoying it enormously.

2010 vintage

Good balanced wine not very complex.

2015 vintage

Ripe berries, beautiful finish. Moderate tannins.

2015 vintage

Dark cherry on the nose. A bare hint of the classic Rioja style. Soft and supple on the mid palate, with some rich full fruit to it as well. Long finish, long life ahead. Pretty darn good stuff, cutting towards modern but still in good form.

2015 vintage

Perfectly balanced between fruit, fine tannin, and a mineral finish. Mixed berry compote and a little sweet vanilla. At 14 years, it is inevitably a bit less vibrant than it used to be - but it's still a complex and very enjoyable wine.

2010 vintage

Notes pretty much the same as before. One of my favourite wines. This bottle seems a little tired or perhaps aged compared to others I've had over the past couple of years, but it's still a joy - just a slightly muted one this evening.

2010 vintage

Lovely cherry fruit to it. On the nose. Richer on the palate. Good definition and backbone.

2015 vintage

Opaque deep purple - no sign of age. Lovely aromas of plum compote and vanilla ice cream. A lush, full palate with fine tannins - more to the fore than I remember - but above all complex fruits of the forest in generous quantities. Pure pleasure. With lamb shank croquettes.

2010 vintage

On a scale from bad - fine - good - great - special, this wine is good. 50. I wouldn't mind drinking it, I will not seek it out.

2015 vintage

Very nice but the cork partially disingrated

2015 vintage

Notes very much as before. This bottle seemed a bit more restrained, a but less intense, than previous ones. With pheasant and mushroom pie.

2010 vintage

Poured directly into the glass; no decant. It still maintains some good color, with not a whole lot of browning at the edge. On the nose I am greeted with lots of ripe red fruits. Underneath I can smell black olives, mushrooms, and some savory herbs like rosemary and thyme; perhaps some dried leaves as well. It smells nice and the smell permeated the room as soon as the cork was pulled. The palate hits initially with a wave of …

2010 vintage

dark cherry, spice, moderate tannins, cedar and oak notes, evolving nicely

2015 vintage

Pure joy. More cherry than plum this time, with the sweet oak evident but perfectly harmonised with the fruit. Just the right amount of acidity and tannin. As I neared the bottom of the glass a thought popped into my head: 'Why do I ever drink anything else than good Rioja?' Well, I know the answer to that, but it's a sign of how enjoyable this was. Good value too. With roast lamb.

2010 vintage

Deep garnet colour. Pronounced and complex nose with dried fruit - cranberry, plum, savoury notes, mushroom, meat, vanilla, smoke. Pronounced and savoury on the palate with dried fruit, mushroom, coconut and vanilla. Medium plus tannins / acidity, full body, high alcohol, long finish. Really enjoyable well balanced wine with great length, intensity and complexity. Great for the price.

2015 vintage

I poured this wine to reveal a deep purple colour. Aromas of big bold berry fruit along with secondary notes of herbs, spices and chocolate were very noticeable. On the palate dark berry fruits along with chocolate notes provided a nice sweetness with high mouth watering acidity. Medium tannins & alcohol with a very good body with incredible finish that lasts a long time. Incredibly smooth that is still one of my top 5 favourite wines under $30. This was …

2010 vintage

No se hizo cata completa, pero nos encantó en nariz (muy complejo y expresivo, incluso en parado). En boca no tanto (encontramos falta de intensidad), aun resultando agradable.

2004 vintage

Damn good qpr. Light with touch of leather and little oak. Tannins resolved. Better on night two with steak!

2010 vintage

I was worried this would fade quickly but it kept evolving in my glass. After a 20-30 minute decant it was in a great place. A little bit of fruit, some depth of flavor, good, bright acidity. The finish left much to be desired but all in all, quite enjoyable for a 17 year old bottle.

2004 vintage

Pop and pour. Just purchased- seems fully mature. Notes of leather and Quince, Balanced, but not exciting. A great QPR.

2010 vintage

a round wine with notes of wood, earth and graphite. a good length on the finish. a tempranillo at its best.

2010 vintage

Un peu trop boisé à mon goût, avec des tannins sèches issus du bois. Bien correct mais sans plus. 88

2010 vintage

Très beau vin à point. Excellent RQP.

2010 vintage

Never drink or buy this

2010 vintage

great surprise great body still very good in the mouth still have one in cellar - let´s wait until next year.......

2004 vintage

La robe est rubis intense, semi opaque. Le nez embaume la boite à épices, les fruits noirs séchés et la noix de coco. La bouche est concentré, maintenu par une belle acidité et un boisé conséquent, en voie de se digérer. Jolie trame tannique, assez fine, qui persiste longuement en bouche. La dernière bouteille dans 3 ans !

2010 vintage

Agree with description by BHRH below, but gave it a 91. Opened up quickly, nice med bodied young Rioja. Held up to ancho Chile grilled chicken. Has lots more time

2010 vintage

My last bottle (1/17/20) must have been flawed, because this was much more like I remember. Moderate oak, black cherry and a little plum on the nose. On the palate - moderate ripeness and good spicy cherry and plum fruits. A nice hint of balsamic with enough tannins to stand up to food. A little lighter bodied than I remember. Nice finish with some oak still prevalent, but not offensive. Has potential for a little improvement, but seems close to …

2010 vintage

Excellent rapport qualité prix. Beau Rioja avec les tannins biens fondus. Prêt à boire. À racheter absolument.

2010 vintage

Light wine, not a lot of complexity, but still a smooth drink

2004 vintage

Sweet American Oak with some banana and pineapple dominate the nose. very forward fruit with some leather notes. light-to-medium bodies. Blind tasters generally did not like this wine! Probably best to serve with sweeter, spicier food... NOT a traditional Rioja!

2010 vintage

Estructurado y complejo en nariz y en boca. En boca entra afrutado, pero enseguida entran los tonos amargos, redondeando en conjunto y suavizándolo. Largo y también suave en el retrogusto. En nariz quizá pierde agrado con el tiempo.

2004 vintage

An easier drinking, accessible Rioja. A bit darker and plummier with a decided oaky element. None of the tangier cherry, leather, spice or balsamic hint I love about Riojas in general. But enjoyable nonetheless. This really opened up after two hours. In hindsight, a decant would’ve been immediately useful. A bit lighter in body and tannin than most. Had it w roasted chicken and it was delightful. Still, I was expecting more from a Reserva 2010.

2010 vintage

N: Leicht fruchtig, Kirschig, leicht alkoholisch; G: ssf, mittlerer Körper, geringe Tannine, mittlerer Abgang

2004 vintage

Not tannic or big like many Tempranillo. Can drink with cheese or chicken. Subtle fruit w Smokey finish.

2010 vintage

Good for those that like a plusher, oakier style of Rioja. Restrained within that species.

2010 vintage

The just-average palate could not live up to the sweet, floral spice dominating the nose. Same on night #2.

2010 vintage

Dark berry, floral, sweet spice and smoke nose. Medium-full bodied; flavourful and fresh palate with good complexity and length. 4/5

2010 vintage

Trop vieux

2004 vintage

Se abre la botella hora y media antes. Capa media alta, ribete rojo oscuro con tonos marrones. Tras agitar brevemente la copa, sale todo su aroma, complejo, terroso. En boca, intenso, directo. Retrogusto ligeramente ácido, bastante redondo. La boca saliva inmediatamente después, pidiendo más.

2004 vintage

This was a little better than I previously remember. Earthy, rich, soft, full-bodied, complex ... ahhh. My last one - now, I wish I had waited another 3-4 years!

2004 vintage

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Ontanon, Reserva, Rioja

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