3 | Wine | Rioja, 91 to 95, 2004

"It has a very enticing bouquet with dark cherry, Christmas cake, dried fig and espresso with fine delineation and bags of exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with taut tannins, underpinned by a keen citric thread that cuts through the licorice-tinged, dark berry and allspice-tinged fruit with style. It is simply delicious on the bittersweet finish."

"An intensely perfumed nose displays cherry-cola, cassis, licorice and woodsmoke, with a sexy floral quality and very good focus. Juicy, penetrating dark fruit flavors are given spine by tangy acidity and pick up bitter chocolate and spicecake nuances with air. Supple tannins add shape to the very long, sappy, smoke-accented finish. This is still a baby."

"It is a fragrant, enticing, already complex offering that will continue to evolve in the bottle for several more years. Rich, savory, and ripe, this beautifully balanced wine will also have a 30+ year lifespan. It will be a pleasant task to compare these 2 great vintages side-by-side once they have peaked in another 10-15 years." 92-95 pts.

"Made in a traditional style, it is already beginning to show aromatic complexity from its extended aging. Cedar, leather, Asian spices, incense, black cherry, and blackberry lead to a rich, elegant, plush wine in the style of the superb 2004 vintage. Flavorful, stylish, and lengthy, it will continue to blossom with several more years of cellaring and drink well through 2024."

"Vibrant red berry and floral aromas are complicated by dried rose and smoky Indian spice notes. Deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors display liqueur-like sweetness brightened by hints of candied flowers and black pepper. The spicy note lingers on the long, lively finish, which repeats the red fruit element. I like this wine's vivacity and clarity."

"Refined and balanced, this elegant red delivers blackberry, espresso, tobacco and spice flavors in a dark but alluring package. Has intensity without heaviness, with a long, perfumed finish."