The 2005 Tinto Pesquera Crianza is purple in color with an excellent bouquet of cedar, tobacco, spice box, and blackberry. On the palate it offers layers of ripe black fruits, mineral notes, outstanding depth, and a lengthy finish. It will evolve for several years and be at its best from 2012 to 2025. Pesquera is Alejandro Fernandez’s flagship estate. Importer: Classical Wines from Spain, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 297-6713

Spicy, cigar, red fruit. Fresh, with red-berry fruit and integrated oak. Well-structured tannins with persistent length.

Black licorice, mint and a hint of raisin work the nose. However, the palate on this venerable Ribera wine is a bit jumpy and early on it seems tart and miserly; the upside is that the wine will age for 15 years. To drink now it’ll need to go with food. If given plenty of airing or decanting it’ll show its best.——M.S.(8/1/2008)—— 88