The 2008 Azuaga Especial Reserva offers baked cherry, cassis and cedar on the nose, although the oak looms ominously in the background. The palate is medium-bodied but there is some dryness on the finish due to the excessive length in wood. Drink now-2015.
Bodegas Arzuarga Navarro was founded by Florentino Arzuarga in 1993. They offer a reliable portfolio of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reservas that are perhaps a little too polished and occasionally fall into the trap of relying on excessive French oak. However, I found them to be cleanly made. Only the Crianza is imported into the United States, although I found the time to taste all their current releases.
Importer: This was being imported by Fine Wine Imports, but I was informed that this has recently ceased.