The 2004 Vitola Reserva is sourced from vines in Briones planted between 1952 and 1973, and it is aged in barrels with American oak staves and French oak bottoms (from Murua coopers) over two years. It has a complex bouquet with notes of sloes, game, licorice and Christmas cake that shows commendable clarity, but takes time to unfold. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and it has an impressive, classic, leather and cocoa-tinged finish laced with white pepper. This is very fine. Drink now-2020. Located in the village of Briones in Rioja Alta, Bodegas Miguel Merino offer exemplary modern Rioja wine sourced from their own Tempranillo vines planted between 1931 and 1963 at an altitude of 550 meters above sea level. The Tempranillo vines are augmented by small plots of Mazuelo and Graciano that are occasionally bottled separately. The wine is then matured in a combination of new American, French and Hungarian oak. Importer: T. Edward Wines, New York, NY; tel. (212) 233-1504