Description: Intense ruby red. Fresh, complex and equilibrated. Ripe blackberries, cassis and red fruits evolves with elegance in the glass. A fresh, fine and dense attack. Excepcional tanins and structure. Good balance and persistant finishing in the mouth.Robert Parker: Wine Advocate # 182. Apr 2009. Reviewer : Jay Miller. The purple-colored 2005 Espiritu de Apalta is composed of 50% Carmenere and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon bottled without filtration. It offers a spicy, toasty perfume with blue fruit and black cherry. Smooth-textured and plush on the palate, this savory, well-balanced wine has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. The finish is long and pure.Wine Spectator: Issue: Jul 31, 2008. Structured style, with loam, black currant, fig paste and black licorice notes that drive through the grippy, tar-tinged finish. Hints of grilled herb and tobacco flitter in the background. Strong showing for the vintage. Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2012. 1,375 cases made. –JM.Stephen Tanzer: Mar/Apr 09. By Josh Raynolds. (a 50/50 blend of carmenere and cabernet sauvignon) Vivid ruby. Alluring perfume of black raspberry, boysenberry, incense and roasted coffee, with a bright floral overtone. Deep, sweet dark berry flavors are framed by supple tannins and gain a sexy floral pastille quality with air. Offers an impressive marriage of richness and vivacity, with excellent finishing clarity and persistent sweetness. This is very attractive right now but I'd hold onto it for at least another five or six years.Vinification: Age: 35 - 115 years Barrel: 12 - 14 month in French oak; 70% new