2006 Creta Roble Ribera del Duero

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2006 Roble is sourced from a single vineyard at 850 meters of elevation, the highest vineyard in Ribera del Duero. The wine was aged for 4 to 5 months in French and American oak. Purple/black in color, the nose reveals cedar, mineral, damp earth, and assorted black fruits. Powerful on the palate, this tannic, structured effort has superb depth and grip and should evolve for 3-4 years." (08/08) 90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Bright ruby. Complex bouquet displays raspberry, blackberry and an exotic blood orange quality. Fresh and spicy, with lively red fruit flavors, good mineral snap and no obvious tannins. An elegant and precise wine that offers excellent clarity and finishing sweetness. And a solid value." (Sept/Oct '08) This is a "mystery" crianza bottling, which basically means that a very famous winery's fruit source was used to produce this impressive entry level wine. 70-year-old Tempranillo vines are responsible for the intense, fleshy, dark fruit here. The wine is showy, maybe even a bit flashy, but representative of the best Ribera del Duero has to offer for a nominal charge. (Joe Manekin, K&L Spanish wine buyer) Definitely on the richer side of Tempranillo, but by no means too heavy. This is still a heartly little wine with black plum flavors, Asian spice box and red currants. There is a touch of sweet oak and bramble that gives this wine a classic feel. (Keith Mabry, K&L Hollywood)