2009 Creta, red Ribera del Duero Roble, Spain. Another 2009 beauty, the Creta shows a much darker and more saturated purple color than other wines from the Duero, and comes across the palate as a big, plummy, red cherry fruit infused wine, with a touch of stems to cleanse the palate. The ripeness adds high-toned notes of black fruits, which add to the complex flavors. 90+ Points, WA. "The 2009 Creta Roble is 100% Tempranillo sourced from a 40-year-old vineyard and aged for 4-5 months in seasoned French and American oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up a brooding bouquet of pencil shavings, espresso, Asian spices, incense, and assorted black fruits. Structured on the palate with layers of succulent fruit, this concentrated, lengthy effort admirably reflects the strength of the superb 2009 vintage. Drink this outstanding value over the next 4-5 years." -Wine Advocate