The 2001 Altos Lanzaga is an unfined, unfiltered cuvee aged 18 months in French oak with minimal intervention. It will remind many tasters of the Remelluri Rioja style when Telmo Rodriguez was making their wines. It offers up complex aromas of cedar wood, spice box, black cherries, currants, vanillin, and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, with wonderful density, weight, purity, and overall harmony, it has some tannin to shed, so give it 1-2 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 10-12 years. It is a candidate for an outstanding rating. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767

This oaky red is marked by muscular tannins and toasty, smoky flavors, but shows a core of ripe black cherry fruit. Drink now through 2007. 600 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add