3 | Wine | Red Blend, 2007

"A glass-coating opaque purple color, it proffers aromas of mineral, underbrush, blueberry, blackberry, and milk chocolate. Velvety-textured and opulent on the palate, it has loads of flavor, enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish."

"It displays classic Rioja aromas of cedar, leather, mineral, a hint of balsamic, and assorted black fruits. Layered on the palate but slightly austere at present, it has the structure to evolve for another 4-6 years at which point it is likely to have filled out thus meriting a higher rating."

"Aromas of pain grille, mineral, pepper, meat, incense, violets, blueberry, and blackberry inform the nose of a dense, layered, succulent wine that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring."

"A firm, fresh red. ...with a smoky baseline and balanced flavors of black cherry, damson plum, violet, polished oak and spice. This is structured by bright acidity and chewy tannins that come to the fore on the finish."

"Pure and brambly showing fresh, up-front aromas of raspberry and plum, with flavors to match. There's a well-defined minerally essence to this, followed by a long finish of vanilla and cream, with hints of French roast."

"It displays classic Rioja aromas of cedar, leather, mineral, a hint of balsamic, and assorted black fruits. Layered on the palate but slightly austere at present, it has the structure to evolve for another 4-6 years at which point it is likely to have filled out thus meriting a higher rating."

"Lush cherry-vanilla, pipe tobacco and mocha aromas are complemented by a sexy floral quality. Creamy and gently sweet, offering lively red and dark berry flavors, fully absorbed tannins and a late note of licorice. Very easy to drink, with good finishing clarity, breadth and an echo of dark chocolate."

"It offers a ripe bouquet of raspberry coulis, strawberry, vanilla and cedar, augmented by cigar box with a little aeration. It is well-defined, and the oak is neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is fleshy in the mouth, to the point where you would think it was more Merlot than Cabernet Sauvignon. It is nicely balanced, although I searched for more backbone and structure, especially on the finish, which is delineated but laconic. It is undoubtedly a very pleasurable wine, but I feel it could give so much more."

"The 2007 Guado al Tasso screams of Bolgheri. Sweet grilled herbs, mocha, spices and black cherry jam are woven into a generous, expansive frame. There is a wonderful sense of richness and warmth to the fruit that carries through to the round harmonious finish, where clean, minerally notes add freshness. This is simply gorgeous today, but it is young, and the oak needs to integrate. Still, it is impossible not to admire the 2007 Guado al Tasso."

"The wine is a glass-coating purple/black color with aromas of tar, licorice, mineral, and a confiture of black fruits. On the palate it is sweetly fruited (likely the contribution of the 80- to 100-year-old Garnacha vines), jammy, and concentrated with enough underlying structure to evolve for 6-8 years."