Hacienda Monasterio 2015 (750ML)

94 Points, Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The flagship Crianza is now simply referred to as 2015 Hacienda Monasterio. This is their biggest production, with some 181,630 bottles in this classical and powerful vintage where the secret was an early harvest to keep the acidity and freshness in the wine and keep the alcoholic degree under control. It's mostly Tempranillo, with 10% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, fermented with indigenous yeasts and with long and soft macerations. It matured for some 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% of them new (a percentage that has been gradually lowered in the last few years). It has a balanced nose, with nuance and subtleness, with the oak nicely folded into the fruit, incipient perfume, and even if young, you can almost see where it can go in bottle. The foreign varieties are not really noticed; they are very integrated. The palate has terrific balance and refined tannins. There is no heat or excess ripening whatsoever. For a moment, I thought I was tasting the 2014. This is one of the best and most widely available wines from Ribera del Duero. It should evolve nicely in bottle. This time I tasted the new releases from Hacienda Monasterio with the winemaker, Peter Sisseck. Despite their young age, they are one of the most classical expressions of Ribera del Duero. Their 98 hectares of vineyard in the estate are now 100% certified organic. Furthermore, they have changed the winery to have smaller fermentation tanks now that the vineyard is older (they think it finally came of age around 2008). They promise the best is yet to come... They think 2017 could be their best year ever, but yields were catastrophic, as terrible frosts in April decimated the harvest."

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck: "Made with guidance from Peter Sisseck, the 2015 Crianza from Hacienda Monasterio is a blockbuster effort that's a blend of 75% Tinto Fino, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Merlot, all of which spent 18 months in 30% new French oak. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by terrific notes of blueberries, violets, graphite, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, deep, concentrated, and elegant, with a traditional style and building tannin, it's incredible that they produce upward of 30,000 cases of this beauty. It's no doubt beautiful today yet will keep for a decade or more. Even at $50, it's a smoking value!"