A blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon (26-year-old vines) and 70% Mourvedre (61-year-old vines), the 2003 Clio spent 26 months in French and American oak. Its deep purple color is accompanied by classic aromas of creme de cassis intermixed with licorice, espresso roast, chocolate, and toasty oak. Its broad, intensely flavored, super-opulent personality offers up great fruit, plenty of glycerin, and a heady, long finish. Approachable now, it should be at its best in 2-5 years, and drink well for 10-15. Well-known Australian winemaker, Chris Ringland, oversees the winemaking at this estate, fashioning intriguing reds with great depth as well as richness. These wines have broken all the parameters previously established by the backwater appellation of Jumilla.

This big red is expressive, with vibrant currant, chocolate, orange peel and toasted walnut flavors and a firm tannic foundation. Exotic and alluring. Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2009. 1,125 cases made.??–TM??Region: Spain / Jumilla Select to Add

If all you’re after is size, then sign on the dotted line. This blend is a monster that weighs in at 15.5%, so be ready for intensely sweet flavors of grape essence and licorice. To this judge, the wine has a lot of gumption but isn’t what I’d want to drink glass after glass, day after day. It’s lumbering, heavy but oh so sweet and dessert-like.——M.S.(12/15/2007)—— 87