Jesús Barquín | Deep, almost opaque cherry, with garnet rim suggesting age. Serious nose, with ripe wild berries, hints of leather and licorice—not very expressive but decidedly attractive. A serious palate, with a wide array of flavors that confirm the nose, but the unresolved tannin feels aggressive. Long finish with a graphite note. | 90

Andrew Jefford | Good heavens: still opaque black-purple. A look of extraordinary youth in the glass. Exciting aromas, too: that moist-coal note to the fruit that is apparent in some of the younger wines, ample oak refinement, and a sustained darkness to the fruit that almost reminds me of Cabernet Franc. On the palate, this is deep, rich, resourceful, almost plush: lavish ripe black and red fruits, lavish tannins, and enough supporting acidity for the most technically fastidious taster. The oak is perhaps a bit generous, but overall this is a very ambitious, finely crafted Bierzo from a generous vintage that has lasted wonderfully well, and I count myself fortunate to have tasted it. An outstanding effort. | 94

Richard Mayson | Still deep and opaque in color, youthful in appearance; demure; closed or hollow on the nose, but there seems to be some ripeness and depth underlying; ripe, rich, firm berry and cherry-stone fruit character, firm tannins lasting all the way through to the finish, but a lack of finesse. | 86