The 2005 Crianza Limited Edition was aged in French and American oak for 14-16 months. It is purple-colored with aromas of cedar, tobacco, balsamic, spice box, and blackberry. This leads to a medium-bodied wine with ample spicy, ripe fruit, good balance, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. This traditionally styled Rioja can be enjoyed now and over the next 8-10 years. Bodegas Ramon Bilbao was founded by Ramon Bilbao Murga in 1924. Bilbao, in addition to his focus on Tempranillo, was one of Spain’s pioneers in the art of aging wine. In addition to the wines reviewed below, in 2007 Bilbao (no longer family-owned) introduced a line of value priced wines called “Volteo”. Several of those are noted in the Best Buy chart at the end of this report.Importer: Quintessential Wines, Napa, CA; www.quintessentialwines.com

Deep and dark, with fruitcake, black fruit and chocolate aromas. The wine has vibrancy and depth, which are the keys to getting the so-called “modern formula” right. Flush and ripe in terms of mouthfeel, with black plum, bitter chocolate and fine coffee flavors on the plump finish. Drink now through 2011.——M.S.(8/1/2008)—— 90