Vacation Wines - No 3 & 4 - 50´s Perelada Especial, Castillo de Perelada & 1994 Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia, Lopez de Heredia

With some grilled sausages, fried mushrooms, sallad and a tarragon sauce I opted for a mature Spaniard. The first one was a tad too mature, even for me...

50´s Perelada Especial, Castillo de Perelada
According to the seller, from the 50´s. The colour is very dark for that age but the nose leads to you believe that it is 60 years old - old stables, dried black fruit, dark muscovado sugar, earth and autumn leaves. Old yes, but still hanging in there.
The taste is dry and mature with a rather hollow middle, but with some nice notes of dried fruits, undergrowth and old leather. There is still a nice warmth in the finish. Should have been drunk decades ago but still delivers a slice of enjoyment.
76p   (tasted 2018/07)

1994 Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia, Lopez de Heredia
But I wanted something better to drink. And boy, this bottle delievered. The nose is a dream with a hauntingly fine, low keyed yet intense personality with notes of ripe root vegetables, paint, matchbox, sweet red currants and rhubarb. Very deep, very idiosyncratic and just lovely.
The taste is high spirited with a fine acidity, dry, finely tuned tannins and a dried up red fruit sweetness that is to die for. Long, lingering and multi layered. You just want to take sip after sip after sip... Great wine! For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2018/07)