Sunday, November 17, 2013 - My first Valbuena. Opened after a 2006 Brancaia Ilatraia (which I did not like much) as I was expecting something of a similarly big style, with generous, sweet black fruit and a fair bit of oak (I think I had an Alion once before) - and then this blew the Ilatraia simply away.
A fairly mature dark garnet, slightly browning at the translucent rim. An intriguing and complex nose with some dried fruit, but not the sweet kind, earth and sulphur. A mature palate with secondary notes of earth, leather, bitter chocolate. Very well balanced and precise. Fine to medium tannins. Medium finish. Very, very good. 93-94