The dense plum-colored 1996 Reserva exhibits an ostentatious bouquet of smoky oak, earth, tobacco, licorice, and jammy red and black fruits. Full-bodied, thick, rich, and mouthfilling, this opulent wine possesses structure as well as tannin. However, it is delicious already. Anticipated maturity: now-2014. Importer: Classical Wines From Spain, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 297-6713

This generous red offers ripe plum and black cherry flavors, with accents of smoke, tobacco and toast. It's balanced and clean, with enough muscle to stand up to rich dishes. Drink now through 2006. 10,000 cases made.??–TM??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add

Very bright ruby-red. Superripe, sappy aromas of black raspberry, cassis, black cherry, chocolate, mint and minerals. Great sweetness and almost painful flavor intensity in the mouth; utterly primary yet lush and accessible. This is still a baby but is already compelling. Has fruit of steel. Finishes with superb, subtle persistence and firm but fine tannins that spread out over the entire palate.

Another fine Ribera from this great vintage. Here you’ll find some orange peel and cinnamon aromas with just a sprinkling of grassy green. It’s earthy and packed full of plum, cocoa and black-fruit flavors. A fine touch of oak graces the long finish. Initial impressions and Pesquera’s history for making ageable wines suggest that it will knit together fully a few years down the road.——W.E.(8/1/2000)—— 91