Delicious - must get it again; great value.

Top note is blachberry fruit, under note is rich earthy tobacco. If you have not smelled fresh tobacco, you wil not understand that, it does not mean stale cigarette smoke. That is what my wife says. I am not so good at the fruits, but I know what I like, and this is it. Great long finish too. This is a real treat.

92
November 2013

Yum, one down one to go!

Complex nose here; tobacco, smoke, church wood, allspice, leather, violet with a touch of bret, but nothing crazy in fact it had to the funk. Medium to full body, soft tannins, balance acidity with well integrated flavours. Finish is long with cedar lingering on the palate. Very elegant and aromatic. Wish I had bought more than one bottle. Tasted January 2011.

I first tasted this wine at the Toronto Wine and Cheese Show on St. Patrick's day. I went back again and again for a sample and bought a bottle before the night was out! When I first pour myself a glass I simply want to breathe it in, and then savour every drop. I've since bought 2 more bottles to enjoy!

Excited to see this being re-released on saturday nov 10, had a bottle from its initial release earlier this year. Maturing quickly the rim is garnet with an orange tinge and some bricking. The aroma is herbaceous with cherry, smoke, floral and oak notes to round it out. Medium-full bodied, the acidity and tannins have rounded and the wine is balanced and structured. Enjoyed with rack of lamb and will be looking to pick up a few more bottles as the LCBO was kind enough to re-release this gem!

I'm not inclined to exaggerations, but every now and then you come across an extraordinary surprise, and this is one. What a beautiful silky smooth, yet with luxurious depth, this Rioja is!
Enjoy, pausing to let in sink in, let it dance around in your mouth, and be happy... Viva Spain!

Tasted Aug. 2013. Stunningly big and complex old world Rioja. Dense aromas and palate of sour cherry, cedar, tobacco, leather, herbs wild black fruit, dill, coconut etc etc etc. A wine for the imagination with beautiful balance and an endless finish.

Lovely wine with old world character. Olives, earth, cedar and bark on the nose. On the palate, the earthiness repeats with olives, cappers and a hint of green(herbs). Excellent length.

Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: What a devine nose. I just want to get an oxygen mask & substitute the oxygen for the aromas of this wine. Notes of cedar, sandalwood, cigar box, cherry, cloves, cinnamon & suede. The taste ain't bad either featuring cedar, dark & sour cherry, raspberry, strawberry, cassis, cloves, leather, arugula & spinach. Medium to medium+ body, medium+ tannins, good acidity, long length & a touch of heat from the alcohol.

Negatives: Surprisingly astringent for a 2001 Grand Reserva. Decant for at least an hour & during that time just inhale the aromas. The taste catches up to the nose.

Drink now or over the next 2 years & pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 19 Mar 12

Score: 9+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

It seems that most people have already tried the 2001 Baron De Ley Gran Reserva, before I did, and no wonder why. It came out originally on December 11th 2010 and then again on March 17th 2012. Not only that, but this wine won the Gold Medal winner at the 2010 International Wine & Spirit Competition (according to LCBO, but where?) - so where was I?

This aged wine is medium bodied, with intense aromas of red fruit - remnants of cherries and red currants, dominating leather, soft pine and fading vanilla. After 11 years, the structure is still solid yet soft; with nice, food friendly acidity, subtle to refined tannins and a long finish. Decant in a glass and watch it evolve. It was ready to drink some time ago and still has at least 5 years of life left, before even more of the complexity begins to diminish. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - recommended buy despite the $$. Tasted March/12.

If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):
http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recommended-wines-you-can-still-buy

Another delicious Gran Reserva from this special vintage in Rioja.
Drink it soon though...

Dark fruit, blackcherry, earth, cedar. Med weight, with integrated tannins, balanced. Nice finish. Enjoyable. Jan 2011..

Starting to gain a brick colour, but lots of fruit giving way to earth floor and meaty notes. Fine tannins and good acidity in balance, still benefiting from decanting. Excellenty finish.

Very nice!!! Tasted April 2013.

90+ ?-Apr 2011-what a beautiful wine. Classic Rioja. Truffles. Earth. Tabacco. Red berries. Mushrooms. Ready to drink. Medium to full body. Oak on the finish. Goes well with chicken beast or fillet mignon prepared medium-rare.