1 | Wine | Tempranillo, 86 to 90, 2009

"Exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, loads of fruit (black currants and cherries), licorice and forest floor notes, a supple texture, medium body, and considerable flavor authority as well as character."-Robert Parker

"Very fresh aromas of red and dark berries and flowers, perked up by a hint of white pepper. Vibrant, sharply focused raspberry and mulberry flavors are lifted by juicy acidity and pick up spiciness with air. Finishes on a lingering note of sappy red fruit."

"A glass-coating opaque purple color (a trademark of the 2009 vintage in Toro), it surrenders an inviting perfume of violets, spicy black fruits, and an earthy minerality. Displaying some complexity as well as succulent fruit, this lengthy effort is an outstanding value that can be enjoyed now and over the next 6+ years."

"The 2009 Crianza is sourced from Rioja Alta and Alavesa: pure Tempranillo aged in French and American barrels for 12 months. It has a perfumed bouquet of ripe strawberry and Morello, with well-integrated oak that allows the fruit to shine. The palate is very supple and rounded on the entry with corpulent red cherry and cassis fruit. The finish is well-defined, crisp and vibrant, lingering nicely in the mouth."

"There's good density to the ripe flavors in this supple, velvety red, offering black cherry, kirsch, cola, leaf and licorice notes over light, firm tannins that give this the structure to match with food."

"Glass-staining ruby. A fragrant bouquet evokes cherry-vanilla, violet and spices. Juicy and open-knit, offering zesty red and dark berry flavors and a touch of vanillin oak. Finishes smooth, gently sweet and long, with the cherry note echoing. This is already approachable."

"Oak spice-accented blackberry and blueberry aromas, with a suggestion of licorice. Lush, round and sweet, with attractive dark berry and cherry flavors displaying a faint jamminess. Finishes gently tannic and persistent."

"Deep ruby. Aromas and flavors of cherry compote, vanilla, mocha and tar, with smoke and floral overtones. Lush and open-knit, finishing with punch and pliant tannins. This wine is approachable now, with a little air."

"Saturated ruby. Rich and smoky on the nose, with powerful aromas of ripe cherry and mocha, along with a hint of espresso. Fleshy and round, with ripe cherry and dark berry flavors and a hint of cracked pepper. Finishes with a velvety, smooth texture and a touch of lingering bitterness."