1 | Wine | Tempranillo, 86 to 90

"This is an exotic wine with aromas of graham cracker, blueberry, violet petal, and pastry. It feels lush, grabby, chewy, and slightly tannic with heavy flavors of clove, black licorice, savory berry, and baked plum. The finish is dominated by oak, with clove and resiny barrel notes that compete with the wine’s fresher dark fruit component."

"Vivid ruby. Ripe cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and in the mouth. Pliant and seamless in texture, with good heft and back-end energy. Finishes smooth and sweet, with fine-grained tannins providing shape and grip. Still on the young side but this wine drinks very well with an hour or so of decanting; it's an excellent value for Rioja."

"It has a soft, mint-tinged bouquet with light dried rose petal tones. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry, prickly red berry fruit, cedar and graphite originating from the oak. The finish is quite sharp with a dash of white pepper lingering on the aftertaste. This is a perfectly pleasant Toro red."

"Dark ruby. Red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by subtle pepper and spice. Juicy and seamless, offering plum raspberry and cherry flavors and good, straightforward appeal. Finishes smooth and spicy, leaving a bitter cherry note behind. Offers very good value, with a blend of energy and power that allows it to work with a wide variety of foods."

"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."

"The 2010 Volver (100% Tempranillo) is a single vineyard, outstanding effort that was aged in French oak for 14 months prior to being bottled unfiltered. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by copious aromas of black currants, black cherries, pepper, underbrush and licorice. This well-made, medium to full-bodied effort should drink well for 4-5 years."

"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

"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."

"The 2011 G Dehesa Gago eschews oak – the wine is just put in the tank and then racked. It has a straightforward bouquet of blueberry, red cherries and a touch of balsamic that is well-defined and “pert.” The palate is quite succulent and primal on the entry with lush blueberry and cassis notes. It offers a pleasing, grainy texture with that balsamic note returning on the finish."

"It has a well-defined, harmonious nose of mocha, dark cherry, cranberry and cedar that wafts gently from the glass. The palate is very well-balanced with sappy dark berry fruit and crisp acidity. It shows good weight and a supple, pastille-like finish that is pure and silky smooth. This is an accomplished Reserva."