2012 - Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild and Vega Sicilia S.A. Macan, Rioja

(two-thirds new French oak) Bright purple. Intensely perfumed aromas of ripe, oak-spiced black and blue fruits, vanilla, incense and pungent flowers, along with smoky mineral and pipe tobacco notes. Broad, fleshy and sweet, offering pliant blueberry, cherry-vanilla and mocha flavors that firm up slowly on the back half. Rich yet energetic in character, displaying impressive finishing definition and smooth tannins that add closing grip to the wine's densely packed, sweet fruit.

100% Tempranillo, 15-18 months in new French oak.Inky dark crimson with a blackish cast at the rim, rather like crushed mulberry. More spicy than the Clásico. And, if possible, even more fragrant – impressive to find an expressive wine when it is otherwise still so youthful. Tannins are much thicker here, in a way that I associate with oak influence. Very dry compact texture and far less open on the palate than on the nose. (JH)