Robert Parker 97 points - The 2005 Mallelous de Valderramiro is 100% Tempranillo sourced from a single 85-year-old vineyard with tiny yields. The wine went through malolactic fermentation in new American oak with batonnage followed by aging in new French oak for 18 months. Inky purple-hued, the wine has stunning aromatics, kinky and complex. Notes of mineral/slate, pencil lead, espresso, wild blueberry and blackberry lead to a layered, opulent wine with superb concentration and great length. Give it 6-8 years of additional cellaring and drink it through 2030. (Dec 2008)
Wine Spectator 93 points - Ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors are syrupy and almost jammy, but retain enough acidity for balance in this plush, modern red. The big tannins are ripe and well-integrated, and spicy, mocha-tinged oak frames the fruit. Drink now through 2016. 100 cases made. –TM (Nov 30 2007)
