The 2004 Reserva is 90% Tempranillo with 5% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano added to the blend. It was aged for 20 months in seasoned American and French oak. Cherry red in color, it offers a complex perfume of cedar, leather, violets, spice box, and blackberry. On the palate it is medium-bodied with plenty of ripe cassis-flavored fruit, silky tannin, good balance, and a pure finish. Give it 3-4 years and drink it through 2020. 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

This plump red delivers black cherry, licorice, smoke and light herbal flavors, with light, firm tannins and fresh acidity. Balanced and refreshing. Drink now through 2010. 20,830 cases made.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add