2005 Bodegas Sierra Salinas Casa Mira (Elsewhere $35)

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2005 Mira is 65% Monastrell, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Garnacha Tintorera aged in 60-70% new French oak. Deep crimson-colored, the wine has an excellent bouquet of pain grille, mineral/creosote, black cherry, and blueberry. This leads to a smooth-textured, focused, elegant effort with ample spicy fruit, very good depth and breadth, and a long, pure finish. It can be enjoyed now and over the next 6-8 years." 91 points Tanzer's IWC: "Glass-staining ruby color. Ripe cherry and blackberry aromas are complemented by smoked meat, anise and baking spices. Broad and concentrated, with sweet red and dark berry flavors, a velvety texture and slow-building tannins. Becomes spicier on the finish, which delivers a whiplash of fresh cherry." According to K&L's co-owner Clyde Beffa Jr: "This wine is fabulous. Daniel Castano has brought this property to great heights since the land was acquired in 2000. The Castano family acquired and re-organized some old vineyards located at the lowest part of Sierra Salinas, between the provinces of Murcia and Alicante, and built a state of the art with gravilty flow facility in the foothills at about 650 meters above sea level. It is quite international in style with tons of ripe fruit flavors, black fruit aromas and some red fruit nuances on the palate. Spicy and lively. Could cellar well for 5 plus years."