Bodegas Franco-Espanolas, Rioja Royal Reserva

Still alive and kicking with a fading brown rim. Some structure still there with leather, cherry, and a slightly raisiny note. Even better on the second day.

Very good, but not a complete as the 64 served next to it. This has a bruised fruit note, smelling quite sur-maturité and lacking the freshness of the 64, while seeming a bit bigger bodied. I'd still happily drink any time and I'd probably rate it higher if enjoyed by itself. 90-91 pts.

Rubí de media capa con ribete abierto. Nariz bastante intensa, de corte clásico, con un marcado bouquet en el que aparecen cueros finos, frutilla roja licorosa, notas de flor ajada y alguna nota de especias "dulces". En boca entra bien, pasa muy fluido, con una tanino imperceptible, acidez media, estructura ligera pero consistente, suaves amargos y bastante longitud. Sigue vivo, cansado pero con aspecto de tener aún algún año de vida.

Badly oxidized... :(

In the mouth much of the tannin has peeled away leaving a very sweet & fleshy core of cherry fruit with puckering acidity giving a sweet-tart vibe, plus some artefacts of aging - maybe some quinine, old medicine, brown sugar, old apothecary stuff. Interesting, but at the end of life.

Mid neck fill, very light brick red, smells like old Rioja; cherry potpourri, perfumed, orange peel. Good core of sweet cherry fruit, old wood, classic, no apparent alcohol, but somewhat faded and ethereal too. Pretty tasty, drank the whole bottle.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Els12golafres Wine Tasting Group: http://vinosclasicos.blogspot.com.es/2014/12/royal-1966-reserva.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - …

Visit to Bodegas Franco-Españolas (Logroño, Rioja, Spain) : Bricked medium red violet color with orange meniscus; more mature, oxidized, dried red fruit, apple nose with gingerbread note; mature, dried cherry, orange preserves palate, on the austere side; medium-plus finish 92+ points

More Mature Riojas 1961-1998: López de Heredia, Ygay, CUNE, Bodegas Riojanas (Contigo Restaurant, San Francisco, California) : Bricking, medium dark red violet color with pale meniscus; autumnal, tart ginger cake, dried berry, cardamom nose with a little oxidation; delicious, ginger caked, dried berry, rich, poised, dried currant palate with good acidity; should go 3-5 more years; long finish