Opens with familiar Rioja aromas of tobacco, wet clay, dried cherries and flower blossom. For a wine from a poor vintage, this is quite nice and natural. It offers red plum, cherry and tobacco on the palate, and overall the balance, mouthfeel and composure are positive. Not an outright great wine, but a real good effort considering the year.——M.S.(4/1/2009)—— 88