Well, well, what do I know. I was quite impressed with this wine - when a fully open and resolved wine, so I googled to see .....

Vina Pomal centenario 2008- is favourite at the Wines of Spain 350 Majestic 2012

And, I say this wine opens a trifle wierd for a trad rioja

Good though when open, and then re-sealed over a 2 day plus day period. Rich and ripe tempranillo, with well judged oak. I shan't say how much we paid at the till.

Bodegas Bilbainas (founded in 1908) who say.....Matured 18 months in American Oak Barriques, then released when two years in bottle. So only released in Autumn 2012.

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Duncan

Bin end clearance at Tesco

I saw this VIna Pomal wine again in a large Berkshire store - some stock, but not many left, about 10 bottles. I directed a young guy there to buy a bottle for his Dad.

This wine was in another Offers section, plastered with stickers, a grubby bottom shelf, not even priced ! Along with some other lesser mortals, that I'd never heard of ! - Buy with confidence £4.25 per bottle.

Quote Purple pages, padded out with Decanter comments:
2008 Very good quality for Rioja, with favourable weather throughout autumn, an Indian summer, small bunches, smallish crop, good acidity. In Ribera del Duero, temperatures were cooler than normal, giving a slow, balanced ripening process and elegant wines as a result.

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Duncan

....after you had taken the other 9 bottles

Glad these get the thumbs up from you Duncan.
I gave 2 of these to some friends last weekend as part of a case I made up for them.
I have 4 left that I'll be interested in trying. I have a couple of Muriel 08 reserva & Baron De Ley 08 reserva that would make for a good taste test

Shez, on your '08 RR horizontal -
You're gonna have to go a day early with the Pomal, The wine is a slow opener...bit Like Geoff Boycott, gets his century moments before the night watchman is clean bowled !
Should take on the Muriel, but the BLB was said to be perfect Amex pop corn.

I scored another four

I'm into a 2nd day on a 2nd one. Same characteristics as the 1st. Slow drip feed rewards. This one needs a drop more time.
Cheers.

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Duncan

Tesco co buy are doing the 2009 crianza at a discount for the next couple of days. Should be available for £6:

http://www.buyapowa.com/ref/2mBDX3

Shez, you spured-me-on to check for more '08 Reserva. It is all gone in this part of Berkshire.

I also checked on the Mondavi Napa chardonnay. The wine was pulled from the bin end bonaza at the last minute. However, it ain't moving at my largest store and 6 are in the dross left-overs location, along with the gravy makers. One to watch.

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Duncan