Abacela’s 2005 Reserve Tempranillo is opaque, with only the oxblood-rim belying age. It’s mature now, but has a long drinking window ahead of it, perhaps another 5-8 years. The nose is rich and complex, a melange of black cherries and plums, Christmas cake, leather, and dusty earth. The attack reveals mouth coating, grippy tannins and earth commingling with black fruited core. Wonderful tapicity, this wine was poured in a blind tasting against Tempranillo from the Toro region and our panel of tasters couldn’t suss it out.
9.2 Points