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Tasting notes
The 2005 Aurus was rated highly by my predecessor, although contrasted directly against the 2004, I feel that the previous vintage has the upper hand. It has an expressive nose with soft earthy red fruit, a touch of leather, mint and a bit of sage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, leathery red fruit and crisp acidity, although it lacks precision on the powerful, perhaps over-powering, spicy finish. It is a little unruly compared to the stentorian 2004. Drink now-2019. Aug 2012, www.robertparker.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(85% tempranillo and 15% graciano) Glass-staining purple. Youthfully backward nose displays inky dark berry and plum aromas, along with licorice, espresso and dark chocolate. Then shockingly fresh and precise on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and blueberry flavors, with powerful tannins adding structure. Coats the palate and reaches every nook and cranny of the mouth, gaining spice and cracked pepper nuances with air. As powerful as this wine is, there's an uncanny weightlessness to it that is intriguing. Finishes clean and long, with lingering spiciness. Sep 2008, www.vinous.com
Very dark. Crimson. Sweet and flattering and lovely freshness on the finish. Really racy, and obviously rioja! Jun 2011, www.jancisrobinson.com, Drink: 2010-2019
The 2005 Aurus raises the bar. It is a powerful, dense, layered wine that will require another 8-10 years of cellaring. Rich, harmonious, and exceptionally lengthy, it will offer a drinking window extending from 2018 to 2040. The Calvario Vertical Tasting : Allende’s Calvario cuvee is typically 90% old-vine Tempranillo and the balance Garnacha and Graciano sourced from the vineyard of the same name planted in 1945. The wine is aged in new French oak for 16 months and bottled without filtration. The Aurus Vertical Tasting : The flagship Aurus is typically 85% old-vine Tempranillo and 15% Graciano aged in new French oak for 24 months. Jun 2010, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2018-2040