772 | Wine | Rioja, 750 ml | Page 5

"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."

"There's good density to the ripe flavors in this supple, velvety red, offering black cherry, kirsch, cola, leaf and licorice notes over light, firm tannins that give this the structure to match with food."

"This delicious, fruit-forward Rioja exhibits plenty of berry fruit and new saddle leather characteristics intermixed with hints of tobacco leaf and licorice. Medium-bodied and fresh, it can be drunk over the next several years." -Robert Parker

"Expansive bouquet of musky red and dark berries, medicinal cherry, rose oil and Asian spices. Juicy raspberry and rose pastille flavors are framed by silky tannins and given a boost by zesty minerality. Packs a solid punch but comes off almost weightless. The tannins fade into the sweet fruit on the finish, which is strikingly pure and very persistent. Lovely right now."

"Deep ruby. Aromas of ripe cherry, cassis, blackberry and dark chocolate, with a touch of cola. Lush, layered and focused, with a creamy texture and hefty dark fruit flavors. Shows the ripeness of the year but there's good energy here too. Finishes with smooth tannins, a hint of licorice and very good length. I'll bet that this will be even better in a couple years but it's approachable now."

"Fresh apple and peach aromas are complemented by honeysuckle and orange peel. Very fruity and smooth in the mouth, offering lively orchard and pit fruit flavors braced by tangy acidity. Just a bit loose-knit on the clinging finish, which repeats the pear note."

"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."

"Peach, pear and cherries at the point just before ripeness, still with a slight sharpness. The finish is surprisingly long and leaves you with a sensation of cherries mingled with pastries".