Barón de Magaña 2009

The sensational 2009 Baron de Magana possesses a Bordeaux-like personality, particularly Pomerol, which is not surprising since the cuttings for the 35% Merlot in the blend were acquired from the Petrus vineyard! The remainder of the blend is 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo and 10% Syrah planted in an old alluvial river bed with underpinnings of limestone. The wine was aged 14 months in 70% new oak prior to bottling. A stunning value, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as abundant notes of sweet mulberries, white chocolate and black currant fruit, incense, vanillin, mocha and a hint of espresso. It is a complex, modern-styled, Spanish red offering loads of fruit, medium to full body, and terrific balance as well as purity. Consume it over the next 4-5 years, although I would not be surprised to see it last a lot longer. Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, Aug. 2013)