Finca Sandoval, Manchuela (Spain) 2002

Deep purple/red.

Toasty oak, hazelnut, black raspberry and licorice on the nose.

Round and slightly sweet, texturally, with black raspberry, nut and spice flavors kept taut by fairly strong acidity and moderate tannin. Very nice depth and refinement in the mid-palate, which is also slightly dis-jointed. Structure really intrudes on the finish, but I think this simply needs more time.

Day 2 - Now this is getting complicated on the nose - savory meat/game, earth, suave oak toast, hint of spearmint and cracked pepper. Aromas are deep, sauce-like. Intense pepper/spice chew in the mouth, bound up in the mid-palate and finish. Pepper flavor rides the whole track, little sign of fruit now, although there is a suggestion of citrus.

Later - I get a cherry jam, savory oak and spice character that reminds me of new-wave Barolo. All over the place.

Victor de la Serna's (Spanish wine critic) first release. 91% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre

$40