3 | Wine | Red Blend, Spain, $10 to $20

"It is a gorgeous wine, and clearly in the alluring Sarah’s Blend style, the style that has made Sarah’s Blend the most coveted of the MP wines."

"Deep ruby. Pungent, smoky aromas of dark berry preserves, cherry pit and licorice, with a spicy element building with air. Broad and fleshy, offering velvety cherry and blackcurrant flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. The gripping, gently tannic finish clings with very good tenacity and focus."
Reviewed by: International Wine Cellar - 90 pts.

"This red marries ripe fruit to a firm backbone, offering black cherry and blackberry flavors. A bit jammy and sweet, with vanilla and licorice notes, focused by firm tannins and citrusy acidity."
Reviewed by: Wine Spectator - 90 pts.

"Abundant notes of black currants, black cherries, licorice, flowers, vanillin and spice box are found in the aromas and flavors of this medium to full-bodied, silky, well-endowed wine. Unbelievable!" -Robert Parker

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Aromas of underbrush, brier, spice box, lavender, and assorted black fruits leads to a mouth-filling wine with good balance, some complexity, and 1-2 years of aging potential (not that there is any reason to defer gratification)."

"It has a well-defined strawberry, Morello and shortcake-scented bouquet infused with fennel and licorice. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, expressive red berry fruit tinged with burnt toast and white pepper, and an elegant, caressing finish that speaks of its place. This is a very commendable Rioja."

"A naked, virginal red exhibiting a dark ruby/purple color along with lots of crisp cranberry, blueberry and raspberry fruit, soft tannins, an attractive, medium-bodied mouthfeel and a cool, zesty finish." -Robert Parker