It's great to have access to fully mature wines like the 2001 Gran Reserva Selección Especial. It has a fully developed nose mixing aromas of game and truffles, something organic and earthy, quite perfumed and attractive, different. The palate is polished but shows great balance and elegance, with polished tannins, nice acidity, very good freshness and length. The wine aged in French oak for some 30 months, but the bottles were kept no less than ten years before they were released. 29,000 bottles produced.

More red still than orange, with classic aromas of leather, molasses and tobacco. Rich and developed in the mouth, with black cherry and caramel leading to a finish of chocolaty complexity. Has it now and will age for another 10 to 20 years if properly stored.——M.S.(12/31/2004)—— 92

Rusty, with a confounding but interesting set of aromas that include peanut, soy, and mushroom along with dried apricot. In fact, the fruit profile is all dried stone fruits, more white than red. The finish is sheer, dotted with additional mushroom, and highly reminiscent of amontillado sherry.——M.S.(12/31/2004)—— 89

Orange in color, with dark, burnt aromas that turn from sweet and saucy to tobacco and leaves in no time. Quite forward and zesty, with apricot, dried cherry and tobacco flavors. Finishes a bit dry and salty, but with an undercurrent of toffee to save it.——M.S.(12/31/2004)—— 90

Well aged but not retired, this classic old-school Rioja smells of well-oiled leather, dried fruits and herbs, and a smack of root beer. Sly plum flavors are sweetened by the essence of brown sugar, while the finish offers heat and mild acids. A winner among commercially available aged wines.——M.S.(12/31/2004)—— 91