2006 Spain

Ruby-colored with orange tints, the Gran Reserva called 2006 Solar Amézola Gran Reserva has an evolved, tertiary nose with aromas of brick dust, paprika, smoke, leather and cherries in liqueur. It comes from a vintage that feels quite ripe, round and polished and has fine-grained tannins and just enough acidity. 
Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate. 30th April 2015. 

The premium selection from Cérvoles is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Tempranillo and 27% Garnacha. Ageing over 18 months took place by varietal, with differing coopers used, but all the barrels sourced in France. The wine has a very deep colour, then aromas of coffee, balsam and loganberry. The palate is very concentrated and persistent, with notes of tobacco and black pepper complementing the sweet ripe fruit.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

Castell del Remei is one of the great Catalonian bodegas. Located at 300-metres above sea-level, about 120km to the west of Barcelona, its vineyards enjoy a semi-continental climate, granitic soils and a three-century history which is closely linked to that of leading Catalan dynasties. It is the leading property in the denominación of Costers del Segre and also owns the altitudinous ‘boutique’ bodega of Cérvoles, which borders Priorat and produces some of the most fascinating wines of Spain.

From an historic Priorat family which can trace its lineage back to before 1700, Sangenís i Vaqué was founded in 1978 by Pere Sangenís and Conxita Vaqué. Minimal intervention in the winery is the philosophy here. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered and can, as a result, be seen as amongst the purest and most traditional, in all its best senses, from this magical denominación.

Llicorella terraces provide a precarious perch for these old vines, which are divided equally between 80-year-old Cariñena and 30-year-old Garnacha. A dense ruby colour is followed by a gorgeous nose of wild flowers, raspberry, cassis and bacon. The palate is smooth and fresh, with the same rich flavours of smoked meats and dense, rounded fruits, while the alcohol is perfectly integrated and the balance is impeccable. Fine, yet tightly knit tannins round off a remarkable effort.

Pago de Los Capellanes’ top cuvée is made from 100% Tinto Fino and has been aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months. Rich beyond the dreams of avarice, it is convincing proof of Ribero del Duero's phenomenal potential, with fruit, tannin and acidity entwined with consummate skill.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer

The bodega of Pago de los Capellanes is located one kilometre from the village of Pedrosa de Duero, in the heart of Ribera del Duero. The name means ‘land of the chaplains’, a reminder that the land was owned by chaplains until the church donated it to the city council in 1855. The vineyards are planted with a 100%Tempranillo and are divided into 35 different plots which are harvested separately. The wines are aged for one to three years (depending on style) in 22 different types of French oak, and offer a modern style alternative to the wines of Vega Sicilia.

Fruit from particular plots, with Tempranillo ably supported by Mazuelo (10%) and Graciano (5%), this wine was aged for 30 months in a combination of French and American oak. The consulting expertise of Georges Pauli has helped to produce a wine of great typicity and pedigree, old-style certainly, but not lacking for vitality and potential to age over the next two decades. 
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer

One of Rioja’s signature wines and certainly the most distinctive label from Muga, Prado Enea is aged for seven years in a combination of vat, cask and bottle, its 2006 manifestation cleaving the traditional to the modern with powerful French oak tannins framing a magnificent savoury personality. An almost meaty vitality and more than a whiff of wood-smoke underlines the individuality of this truly great wine, its dark fruit core enhanced by notes of tobacco box and the kitchen garden.
Simon Field MW – Wine Buyer

A blend of the classic Rioja grapes with Tempranillo dominating the blend, this is full of vanillin spice and bright red fruit. Beautifully structured with fine tannins, this will clearly reward some extended time in the cellar, if you can keep your hands off it!
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager

The 2/3 is 100 percent old-vine Cariñena and it has had extended oak ageing: in its youth, it has all the class and concentration of top notch Priorat; forest floor and kirsch are allied to a robust and winsome structure, with balancing acidity and powerful fruit tannins harmoniously interwoven and lending real gravitas.
Simon Field - Wine Buyer