The opening wine of the night was opened 30 minutes prior to consumption. It had a rather muted nose of plum and cigar ash. The palate was less powerful and tannic than what I expected, nevertheless the product of a lesser vintage vs. 2004. Medium to full bodied, with some elegance and medium intensity.

El vino inicial de la noche fue descorchado 30 minutos antes de su consumo. Tiene una nariz algo reticente de ciruela y ceniza de habano. El paladar no es tan poderoso y tánico como esperaba, seguramente resultado de una cosecha inferior respecto de 2004. De cuerpo medio a corpulento, este vino expresa cierta elegancia e intensidad media.

This wine exhibits the heat of the vintage, dominated by jammy red fruit aromas and flavors. Made in a hedonistic style, this reminded me of a hot vintage, Grenache-based Chateauneuf du pape. Its most impressive characeristic is its length, which lasts for a long, long time. Excellent wine and WOTN for me.

Este vino refleja el calor de la añada, dominado por aromas y sabored de fruta roja confitada. Elaborado en un estilo muy hedonista, me recuerda un Chateauneuf du Pape con predominio de Garnacha de una coecha caliente. Su característica más importante es el final, que es larguísimo, sabroso y dulce. Mi vino de la noche.

This wine has mellowed with age. In its youth, it was impenetrable. With 8 years of age, the nose has started to open, offering dark fruits and cigar ash. In the palate it is full bodied, still offering plenty of tannin, but the texture has softened. The finish is long and flavorful. Despite some naysayers, this wine is aging favorably. Great wine.

This wine was completely different from all other wines tasted tonight. The color was an attractive raspberry, Grenache-like, medium to light ruby color. In the nose, it has a lot of elegance and distinction, redolent of red fruits and flowers. In the palate, it is hard to believe this is a tempranillo-based wine. Medium weight, elegant, with very soft tannins and very nice acidity, this reminds me of a Sonoma Pinot Noir a lot more than to a new world Rioja. Excellent wine in a decisievely elegant style.

Este vino es completamente distinto al resto de los vinos que probamos hoy. El color es atractivo, reminiscente de frambuesas, rubí medio a claro, tipo Garnacha. En la nariz tiene mucha elegancia y distinción, reminiscente de frutas rojas y flores. En boca, es difícil de creer que este vino está hecho de uva Tempranillo. De cuerpo medio, elegante, con taninos muy suaves y acidez atractiva. Me recuerda más a un Pinot Noir de Sonoma que a un Rioja moderno. Excelente vino en un estilo definitivamente elegante.

This was the let down of the night. Simple, a bit diluted and lacking character. Several steps below the other wines.

Este vino fue la decepción d ela noche.Simple, carente de suficiente fruta, y falto de carácter, este vino estuvo muy por debajo de los demás.