Description: Full, morello cherry, ruby red, good intensity. Ripe autumn red and purple fruit and raspberries. Rich, deep and balanced. Well structured on the palate with plenty of fine, lingering rich fruit and a lively note of tannin.
Wine Spectator: Issue: Nov 15, 2009. - This supple red shows warm flavors of roasted cherry, sandalwood, vanilla and orange peel, with light tannins and acidity. A gentle example of the traditional style. Drink now through 2011.
–TMStephen Tanzer: Sep/Oct 09. By Josh Raynolds. Bright ruby-red. Musky red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of dried rose and tobacco. A touch tart, with lively red fruit flavors and no obvious tannins. Juicy and refreshing, with modest finishing persistence and an echo of tangy redcurrant.
Chris Kissack, thewinedoctor.com, 15.5/20 ( re 2005) - "A nice, lively, cherry-raspberry red appearance. Very light summer fruits on the nose, vibrant although presented with a steely edge. Light but nicely rounded on the palate, soft, not really a lot of focus. Liquorous finish, and nice gentle character. Just a little grip at the end. This is good for what it is."
Vinification: Hand harvested, principally from our vineyards in Rioja Alavesa. Following a short pre -fermentation maceration, fermentation was done at a controlled temperature to retain primary varietal aromas. The young wine was transferred to 225 litre american oak casks, where it remained for between 12 and 14 months, regularly racked, to create great finesse. The wine was then lightly fined using egg whites before bottling.
