Product

Rating: 92

The 2005 Reserva 7 Vinas gets its name from the fact that it uses all 7 permissible Rioja grapes (including the 3 white varieties) although Tempranillo (55%) forms the backbone of the wine. The fruit is all sourced from a single vineyard in Rioja Baja and was aged for 3 years in French and American oak. Its enticing perfume gets a lift from the use of 8% white grapes in the blend. Violets, incense, leather, mineral, and savory black fruit aromas and flavors lead to a layered, dense, full-flavored wine with impeccable balance and plenty of volume. Already complex, it will add further nuance with another 5-7 years of bottle age. It is a worthy successor to the outstanding wines made in 2001 and 2004, the first 2 years of this unique cuvee. (92+ points).