"Dark ruby. Ripe cherry, red berries and smoky minerals on the nose. Spicy, firm and tightly wound, with very good lift to the flavors of redcurrant, bitter cherry and licorice. A gripping, lithe midweight, with appealing sweetness and bracing minerality on the long, incisive finish. In an elegant style, with zero excess fat. - JR"
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (September 2013), 90 pts
"A sensational value from Spain, this 100% Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa has a deep ruby color and a fragrant nose of new saddle leather, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and red and black cherries, followed by a seductive, lovely mouthfeel with no hard edges. It is medium-bodied, pure and best drunk over the next several years."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (March 2016), 87 pts - Excellent Wine Values for Under $25
"(aged for three months in used American oak barrels) Ruby-red. Ripe cherry, licorice and dark berry aromas are lifted by a subtle note of white pepper. Smooth, fleshy and warm, offring supple bitter cherry and blackberry flavors that pick up a peppery nuance with air. Closes smooth, round and gently spicy, leaving a candied dark berry note behind.- Josh Raynolds"
- Vinous (January 2017), 89 pts
Vivid ruby. Bright, sharply focused aromas of fresh red fruits and flowers, along with a spicy overtone and a hint of vanilla. Lithe and appealingly sweet on the palate, offring vibrant, oak-spiced raspberry and cherry flavors and a subtle rose pastille nuance. Finishes supple and long, displaying silky, slow-building tannins and resonating spiciness. - Josh Raynolds"
- Vinous (January 2017), 90 pts
"The young and juicy 2016 Cuvée KPF from Rioja Alavesa is a custom cuvée from Bodegas y Viñedos Labastida for the American importer Kysela. It has a fruit-driven profile, with plenty of cherries and a spicy touch. The palate is round and soft, medium-bodied, with pungent, clean flavors. - Luis Gutiérrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #235, February 2018), 88 pts
"Made from 100% Tempranillo, the 2016 Rioja Montebuena is a single vineyard release brought up in American oak. It has attractive darker berry fruits, vanilla bean, and spicy, incense notes as well as a medium-bodied, nicely balanced, charming style on the palate. It’s a terrific value and would be ideal as a house red to enjoy over the coming couple of years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 89 pts
