We got the team together at my place last night for some fellowship and to raise a toast to the 1.8 million rational adults that voted Tuesday in GA. 
I called the theme as I’m off to Spain in a couple weeks and wanted to get calibrated. We had some great wines, one clunker, and some good eats including some nice Flannery hangers Mike brought that I fired on the BGE.
Moving slow today- Some knucklehead thought it would be a good idea to cap off the festivities with Treehouse DIPAs late into the evening.
Always a good time with a good group of guys. My attempt at notes, as always, pulling from the collective wisdom of the crew. Couple of wines not in my list- cool skin-contact Spanish natty wine that was really good and a Flor de Pingus I somehow totally missed.
A GOOD TUESDAY, VOL VIII: LOPEZ DE HEREDIA AND FRIENDS - (12/7/2022)
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1987 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Sadly corked. Horribly. Like, look up corked wine in the dictionary and this should be pictured. (NR/flawed) -
2014 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Youth is obvious here- rather closed initially. Muted nose. Needs a good hour to wake up and then it takes off and keeps coming on over the course of the night. Really good if you like the style. Long life ahead.
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1985 Bodegas y Viñedos del Contino Rioja Contino Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alavesa, Rioja
Healthy dose of fresh, almost youthful fruit. More polished. Brighter. Cherry liquor note. Feels glossier than the LdHs despite being a decade older. Savory. More mature as it opens. Really good showing. -
1995 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Last year we did the 94s together- this year the 95s. This is more rustic, next to Tondonia. More earth tones-not quite the power. But quite elegant, floral, cigar box. Food brings out the silky cherry fruit on weightless palate. Quite good. -
1995 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Just a little more refined and elegant than the Bosconia. A little more vibrancy to the fruit. Elegance. Silky. Weightless. Such great wines. -
1982 Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Faustino Gran Reservas just keep on keeping on. I don't think I've ever had a bad one from the 70s or 80s. Fully resolved. Mature. But acid and fruit to keep it trucking. Great with food.
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2000 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel - Austria, Niederösterreich, Wachau
A little palate cleanser late in the evening that might have ended up as WOTN. Crushed rock, mountain stream, some grilled pineapple. A little boytritis. Bright acidity. Glistens. Terrific energy. Stunner. Yum.
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