2004 Muga Reserva Seleccion Especial Rioja, Spain

Deep red, totally opaque, nose has fabulous non-fruit components - cedar, spicy oak, pencils, very complex, and then there are dark fruits, blackberry in particular. The taste is terrific, a lot of tart cherry, spicy red and black fruit, definite presence of French oak, and some spearmint. Mouth watering acidity, mid-weight body. Nicely balanced alcohol, acid, fruit and tannins, with tannins not nearly so present/overwhelming as some recent notes suggest, but they are definitely there. A blend from Rioja, well made, highly recommended.