1 | Wine | Rioja, 2008

"The 2008 Reserva has dark cherry, cassis and graphite on the nose. The palate has a sappy nose with blackberry, raspberry and a touch of soy towards the finish. The tannins are ripe and quite “thick,” lending the 2008 admirable substance considering the vintage."

"Even better is the outstanding, Pomerol-like 2008 Reserva Unica, which is made from 97% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, aged nearly two years in a combination of French and American oak. An unfiltered selection of the estate’s finest barrels, it offers up scents of wet gravel, scorched earth, sweet black currants, plums and hints of mocha and white chocolate. This lush, medium to full-bodied, layered, sexy, complex 2008 should drink well for another 4-5 years."

"It has a mellow bouquet of dried herbs, terracotta tiles and dusky black fruit that is very well-defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin: tart red berried fruit, laced with tobacco and dried herbs on the dry, crisp finish. This is a superb classical Rioja Crianza."

"Aromas of cedar, tobacco, spice box, and blackberry inform the nose of a round, savory, ripe, well-balanced offering that is likely to evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through 2017."

"Glass-staining ruby. Assertive aromas of red berries, rose and spicecake, with a hint of smoke. Silky and sweet, with fresh raspberry and floral flavors and tangy back-end lift. In an elegant, precise style, with very good finishing clarity and length. This is drinking very well right now."

"Fresh and supple, this nervy red delivers cherry, cranberry, spice and licorice flavors, with a syrupy note that intensifies the fruit. This is smooth, but has drive."

"It has a very well-defined bouquet with crisp blackberry, cassis and licorice-scented fruit with fine minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannins, crisp acidity and a lovely licorice, white pepper and citrus-fresh finish that is linear and nicely focused."