Notes:

Wine Advocate Issue #159

Bottled unfiltered for the USA market, the 2001 Allende exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with a sumptuous nose of figs, black currants, blackberries, cigar box, and smoky vanilla. Full-bodied, rich, and opulent, with great purity, density, and length, it should be consumed over the next 6-7 years.

By Stephen Tanzer
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep/Oct 04
($22; aged in a very high percentage of French oak barrels) Saturated medium ruby. Aromas of currant, chocolate, spice, smoke and truffle. Superripe and impressively concentrated; full, round, broad and deep. Thick, fruit-driven flavors of roasted currant, raspberry and plum. Finishes with palate-coating tannins that really spread out horizontally. According to importer Jorge Ordonez, the low-toast Francois Freres barrels relied on previously to age this wine were too austere for this tempranillo. Today's wine incorporates Saury and Darnajou barrels as well. 91 points