A lot of bacon, open-cut wood and charcoal on the nose, all of which adds up to blast of heavy overt oak, clearly American. The palate is slightly choppy, with cherry and plum resting below a veneer of lively oak. Finishes a touch buttery and fat, with spunky, scouring tannins. Still, this is a true Ribera red, just not at that higher echelon. Imported by Billington Imports. ——M.S.(10/1/2005)—— 87