5 | Wine | Tempranillo, 91 to 95

"Even better is the outstanding, Pomerol-like 2008 Reserva Unica, which is made from 97% Tempranillo and 3% Graciano, aged nearly two years in a combination of French and American oak. An unfiltered selection of the estate’s finest barrels, it offers up scents of wet gravel, scorched earth, sweet black currants, plums and hints of mocha and white chocolate. This lush, medium to full-bodied, layered, sexy, complex 2008 should drink well for another 4-5 years."

"Aromas of toasty oak, graphite, balsamic, incense, and black fruits are followed by a dense, powerful Tempranillo from the great 2009 vintage. Rich, savory, and pleasure bent, it is a great value."

"It reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as copious notes of creme de cassis intermixed with hints of wood smoke and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, juicy, succulent and sensual, it should drink nicely for 3-4 years." -Robert Parker

"An excellent bargain, this 100% Tempranillo (80-100-year old vines) was aged completely in stainless steel. Patrick Mata told me that the village from which it emerges has only 95 residents, all of whom are grape farmers! This may be the “bargain of the year” in my tastings. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as copious notes of black cherry jam, licorice, blackberries and subtle hints of earth, pepper and meat. Drink this medium to full-bodied, rich, layered red over the next 2-3 years." -Robert Parker

"Pale-rimmed ruby-red. Pungent aromas of dried cherry, spicecake and vanilla, with smoke and cigarbox overtones. Sweet, palate-coating cherry and cassis flavors are braced by gentle acidity and become spicier with air. Mocha and smoke note linger on a long, supple and gently tannic finish with very good energy."

"The 2001 Imperial Gran Reserva has a more complex, better defined nose than the 2000, with black cherries, spice and Seville orange marmalade. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins cloaked in sweet dark cherry, bitter orange and strawberry fruit. It is lighter on its feet than the 2000, with less persistence, yet it shows greater harmony and tension. This is a fabulous Gran Reserva with enormous weight and dimension."

"Deep ruby. Raspberry, redcurrant, Asian spices and on the perfumed nose and in the mouth. Sweet, sappy and focused, with silky texture and very good intensity. Finishes spicy and long, with lingering notes of star anise and raspberry. This is extremely graceful for a wine from Ribera del Duero."

"Saturated ruby. Pungent cherry and dark berry aromas, with spice and floral nuances adding complexity. Sweet and concentrated, but with excellent cut and vivacity to its dark fruit flavors. Builds and deepens toward the back, finishing with a sappy floral quality and resonating spiciness. Offers very good richness of flavor with no excess fat."

"This generous red offers cherry, currant and cranberry fruit, with accents of cola, licorice and spice. Full-bodied and firm, but not heavy, with lively acidity and a fresh, floral finish."

"It has a very well-defined bouquet with crisp blackberry, cassis and licorice-scented fruit with fine minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannins, crisp acidity and a lovely licorice, white pepper and citrus-fresh finish that is linear and nicely focused."