The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva spent 18 months in French and American oak. Asian spices, incense, and red fruits compose the nose leading to a lean, firm, structured wine that will need at least 5-6 years of cellaring. The real life Jean Leon was a bon-vivant from Penedes who, before establishing his winery, ventured to Beverly Hills where he opened a restaurant (still in existence) called La Scala in partnership with James Dean. It proved to be a popular hangout for many of the movie stars of the era as shown in the photos contained in the small museum at the winery. My first exposure to high-end fine dining was at this restaurant in 1965 when I was a student at UCLA. I had no idea of this connection until my visit in January, 2011. Jean Leon (the man) is deceased and ownership of the winery has passed to Penedes giant Torres which has continued its operation as a boutique producer.Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

Cigar and black licorice notes wrap around the currant and black cherry flavors of this plush red. Firm tannins, and a smoke-tinged finish. Best from 2010 through 2012. 6,500 cases made.??–AN??Region: Spain / Penedès Select to Add

The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva seems to have a bit more fruit although it is also a dense, tannic, structured wine that will require significant cellaring. I was shown some older vintages (2001, 1998, 1988, and 1975) which all have similar issues regarding the balance of fruit and structure. The 1975 seems not to have moved in the last 30 years remaining tight and structured but with ample fruit. I recently tasted the 1974 Jean Leon in the USA (a Best Buy in one of the very early issues of The Wine Advocate) and it, too, is firm and structured but with enough fruit to give hope for better things to come. The more realistic viewpoint is that this is as good as they will get, and that this is a very challenging terroir in which to get full ripeness. If anyone can do it, though, it is the Torres team.The real life Jean Leon was a bon-vivant from Penedes who, before establishing his winery, ventured to Beverly Hills where he opened a restaurant (still in existence) called La Scala in partnership with James Dean. It proved to be a popular hangout for many of the movie stars of the era as shown in the photos contained in the small museum at the winery. My first exposure to high-end fine dining was at this restaurant in 1965 when I was a student at UCLA. I had no idea of this connection until my visit in January, 2011. Jean Leon (the man) is deceased and ownership of the winery has passed to Penedes giant Torres which has continued its operation as a boutique producer.Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770