The Nebro bottling is produced only in exceptional years of which 2004 more than qualifies. The 2004 Nebro is 100% Tinto Fino and is sourced from the estate’s oldest Tempranillo located just 3 meters from Vega Sicilia. The wine is barrel fermented and remains in French oak for at least 18 months. Purple/black, the wine has an extraordinary perfume of espresso roast, graphite, smoke, scorched earth, a hint of iodine, floral notes, wild blueberries and blackberry. On the palate, the wine is packed, with layer upon layer of spicy black fruits and that certain slightly baked character that gives an extra dimension to the top 1959 Bordeaux. With impeccable balance, superb length, and well concealed tannins, this great effort should evolve for a decade and drink well through 2050. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

An intense, dark-styled Tempranillo with a ton of oak. In fact, this might have more wood and toast than many people are looking for. That said, this is a generous wine with huge blackberry and plum flavors. And as it finishes with unctuous cream and vanilla, you are again reminded of how much the barrel influenced the final product. Excellent but so heavily oaked that we prefer the basic wine from this producer.——M.S.(6/1/2007)—— 91