The 2006 Maria is a bit more expressive aromatically with notes of scorched earth, espresso, game, mineral, lavender, and blackberry. On the palate it is smooth-textured, balanced, and intense. It conceals enough tannin to evolve for another 3-5 years and should deliver prime drinking from 2013 to 2026. The current owners purchased this estate in 2002 and hired Stephane Derenoncourt of Bordeaux renown as consultant. The Alonso del Yerro cuvee, made from 100% Tempranillo, typically goes through ML in barrel followed by 12 months sur lie with batonnage in new French oak. The Maria cuvee (also 100% Tempranillo) is fermented in new oak vats, goes through a longer maceration than the Alonso bottling, and is aged in new French oak for 18 months sur lie with batonnage. As a side note, Vinedos Alonso del Yerro has started a new project in neighboring Toro called Paydos. I tasted barrel samples of the first two vintages, 2008 and 2009. They were both exceptional; the 2009, in particular, due to the virtually perfect vintage conditions in Toro.Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767