Hacienda Monasterio Tinto Crianza

Romazini: 3/5 Stars

Robert Parker: 92/100 Points

Peter Sisseck of Pingus fame makes the wines of Hacienda Monasterio. The 2007 Crianza, sourced from estate vineyards, is a blend of 75% Tinto Fino and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec aged for 17 months in 40% new French oak. Deep crimson colored, it offers up an enticing bouquet of mineral, lightly simmered creme de cassis, and compote of black cherry. Savory, ripe, and already complex on the palate, it conceals enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years and will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2027.

Stephen Tanzer: 92/100 Points

Vintage 2006: Opaque ruby. Deep, pungent, highly expressive aromas of cassis, cherry compote, smoked meat, olive and dried flowers, with a spicy undertone. Expansive and sweet on the palate, with mineral-accented red and dark berry flavors and mounting smokiness. Becomes spicier with air and finishes with excellent clarity and thrust and an echo of smoky minerals. This is much more open than the 2005 was at the same stage and sexier as well.