The generously oaked Tempranillo 2015 Esencia Crianza is dominated by sweet spices, toast, smoke and ripe black fruit. The palate is warm, with oak-related flavors and a dry finish. For fans of oaky Tempranillo. 20,000 bottles produced.

The 2009 Esencia Tempranillo Crianza is remarkably closed on the nose and demands a lot of encouraging. It reluctantly offers stony aromas, almost like walking into a limestone cave! The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of lovely juicy fruit, strawberry jam, fresh raspberry and just a touch of vanilla. It is well-balanced and much plusher than the deceptive nose suggests. Drink now and over the next couple of years. Anticipated Maturity: now-2015. The Garcia family founded Bodegas Ovidio Garcia in 1999. On a bitterly cold February afternoon I visited their ancient subterranean cellars, which are over three centuries old and accommodate a gargantuan, 15-meter long Roman press. Here you will find the twelve concrete vats they use to ferment the wine, while on the ground-level sits the stainless steel vats that they intend to use in the future. They eschew the use of pesticides in their vineyards around the village of Cigales. I appreciated these wines for their purity and natural harmony, quite conservative in style at first, strict and focused but often with very satisfying finishes. Importer: Enye Group, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 876-1200

The 2006 Esencia Tempranillo Crianza has more vigor and fruit intensity on the nose, with fine precision and focus. Black currant and red currant and touches of cold stone develop in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with blackberry and cranberry on the entry, a hint of marmalade and dried orange peel following later. There is good depth – a “solid” Crianza with good structure on the “solid” finish. It is a Crianza that deserved to be partnered with some tapas, as it comes across rather serious on its own. Drink now-2015. The Garcia family founded Bodegas Ovidio Garcia in 1999. On a bitterly cold February afternoon I visited their ancient subterranean cellars, which are over three centuries old and accommodate a gargantuan, 15-meter long Roman press. Here you will find the twelve concrete vats they use to ferment the wine, while on the ground-level sits the stainless steel vats that they intend to use in the future. They eschew the use of pesticides in their vineyards around the village of Cigales. I appreciated these wines for their purity and natural harmony, quite conservative in style at first, strict and focused but often with very satisfying finishes. Importer: Enye Group, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 876-1200

The 2005 Esencia Tempranillo Crianza has a simple bouquet with tightly wound red currant and pomegranate fruit. The palate appears diffuse at first, but patience is rewarded as it pulls together in the glass. There is plenty of fleshy cranberry and dark cherry fruit with soy towards the spice-tinged finish, and the overall result is a decent Crianza, perchance a year or two past its peak. Drink now. The Garcia family founded Bodegas Ovidio Garcia in 1999. On a bitterly cold February afternoon I visited their ancient subterranean cellars, which are over three centuries old and accommodate a gargantuan, 15-meter long Roman press. Here you will find the twelve concrete vats they use to ferment the wine, while on the ground-level sits the stainless steel vats that they intend to use in the future. They eschew the use of pesticides in their vineyards around the village of Cigales. I appreciated these wines for their purity and natural harmony, quite conservative in style at first, strict and focused but often with very satisfying finishes. Importer: Enye Group, Chicago, IL; tel. (312) 876-1200