"(90% tempranillo and 10% graciano; aged in American oak for a year): Deep red. Vibrant red berry and vanilla aromas are accented by a peppery nuance. Pliant cherry-vanilla and raspberry flavors show a distinct sweetness and provide very good palate coverage. Supple and persistent Rioja with gentle grip and lingering sweetness. - Josh Raynolds"
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Sep/Oct 13), 90 pts
"
These are custom cuvées made specifically for importer Fran Kysela. Palacio del Burgo is a large estate, even for Rioja, with over 494 acres of vines. All three of these inexpensive offerings are impressive and merit serious interest from thrifty consumers. The 2011 Crianza (90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano) spends 12 months in American oak barrels. It reveals notes of vanilla, new saddle leather and sweet black cherries in a medium-bodied, elegant as well as complex and concentrated style. A more classic Rioja than the 2013 Tinto, it should drink well for 2-3 years. - Robert Parker"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (November 2014), 89 pts
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Sep/Oct 13), 90 pts
"Vivid ruby. Deeply pitched scents of candied dark berries, cherry-vanilla and woodsmoke, with a suave floral note building in the glass. Supple, sweet and expansive, offering broad blackberry and violet pastille flavors and a late touch of coconut. Fine-grained tannins come in late on a long, spice-tinged finish that echoes the vanilla and smoke notes. This wine was raised entirely in American oak. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2015), 90 pts
"This red offers dried cherry, plum, licorice, cola and toasty notes, rich yet balanced, mingling over firm, well-integrated tannins. Balsamic acidity keeps this lively. Drink now through . 8,500 cases made. –TM"
- Wine Spectator (December 15th 2015), 90 pts
"Charred, earthy black-fruit aromas are smoky and power-packed. This feels full yet balanced, with freshness and strong tannins. Ripe berry, prune and oak-spice flavors finish with a note of vanilla and length. For a Crianza from a tough vintage, this is commendable."
- Wine Enthusiast (August 2016), 90 pts + BEST BUY
"(fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for a year in new and used American oak barrels) Saturated ruby. Ripe dark berries, vanilla, baking spices and pungent flowers on the deeply perfumed nose. Plush, oak-accented blackberry and cassis flavors are joined by a mocha element that builds as the wine opens with air. The spicy note repeats on the long, subtly tannic finish, which leaves a bitter cherry note behind. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (May 2017), 90 pts
