Starts out a bit rough and horsey, but let it air out and escape from the bottle and this Tempranillo-Cabernet blend struts its stuff. There’s impressive core blackberry and raspberry flavors along with minerality, crustiness and structure. Tight on the finish and still youthful, with rugged tannins and power to spare. Very nice for a 65,000-case product.——M.S.(7/1/2011)—— 89

An excellent value, the 1998 Crianza, a blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, was aged 14 months in both French and American oak. It offers a big, sweet, briery, cherry jam-scented bouquet with a touch of fudge and oak in the background. Round, fleshy, ripe, straightforward, and fruity, it is meant to be consumed over the next 2-4 years. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

The 1995 Crianza (a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet) was aged for nine months in new American oak. Because of that it reveals more sweet vanillin and sexy spice in the nose than the 1995 Tinto. It also possesses a deep ruby/purple color, jammy, ripe berry fruit, excellent texture, and a clean, pure finish. A fine value, it is my favorite offering of the four wines reviewed from this winery. The four wines from this winery are well-made, clean, medium-weight wines. The less expensive cuvees were aged in American oak, and the more expensive in new French oak. Made in a more elegant, supple, less weighty style than some of the newer breed Spanish wines, all four can be drunk over the next 4-5 years. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, New York, NY; tel. (212) 924-4949