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(85% tempranillo and 15% cabernet sauvignon): Dark ruby. Highly perfumed bouquet evokes blackberry, blueberry, violet and smoky oak, with a spicy element emerging slowly. Seamless and sweet, with energetic dark berry flavors, an exotic floral pastille quality and a jolt of black pepper that adds bite. Gains richness as it opens in the glass and finishes with clinging sweetness and fully absorbed tannins. - Josh Raynolds"
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Sep/Oct 14), 91 pts
"Savory and harmonious, this red delivers currant, sanguine, black tea and smoky flavors. Well-integrated tannins and citrusy acidity provide a firm structure. Drink now through 2018.—T.M."
- Wine Spectator (December 31st 2014), 92 pts"
"The 2008 Reserva Seleccion de la Familia is a notch above the regular Reserva in intensity and complexity. It is produced from a blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano from selected plots of vineyards averaging over 45 years of age and the time in barrel is extended to 20 months, which makes for a compact and energetic wine. It has harmonious notes of fruit and spice, good acidity and length that will require a little bit more time to be ready for prime time drinking. Drink 2015-2020. - Luis Gutierrez"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue #210, December 2013), 92+ pts
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This 85/15 blend of Tempranillo and Graciano is pure, elegant and velvet smooth. Fresh dark red fruit shows on the nose, followed by cherry, plum and other flavors with a liqueur like intensity. Firmly structured with chalky tannins. Aged 12 months in French oak followed by another 12 months in American oak."
- iWineReview (Report #43), 93 pts
"Smoky bacon and barbecued meat aromas are quite prominent in the 2009 Reserva Selección de la Familia. It is slightly more modern and oaky than the regular Reserva offering a sinewy palate where I found a ton of grainy tannins that would require time in bottle and/or powerful food, as the fruit might dry out before the tannins get balanced. Only time will tell. - Luis Gutierrez"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue #218, April 2015), 90 pts
"Extremely aromatic and beautiful with currants, raspberries, and plums. Hints of flowers too. Full body, firm and silky tannins, and a fresh and bright finish. Made from old vines of 85% tempranillo and 15% other varieties. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (July 16th, 2015), 91 pts
"Opaque ruby. Ripe dark berries, vanilla and candied flowers on the pungent nose, with a minerally quality adding lift. Spicy and expansive on the palate, offering intense cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors and a hint of mocha. Becomes deeper and more broad with air and finishes with velvety tannins and a repeating floral pastille note that lingers with strong tenacity.- Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2015), 91 pts
