The 2013 D 12 seems to have benefited from a cooler growing season. It shows aromas of red fruit and good acidity, even if it lacks a little in the mid palate, which could be the shortcoming of the challenging harvest. 60,000 bottles produced.

The 2009 Lan D-12 is a pure Tempranillo sourced from four parcels in Rioja Alta that is raised for ten months in American and French oak. It has a well-defined, floral bouquet with touches of lavender and rosemary infusing the ripe dark cherry fruit. The palate is well-balanced with succulent, ripe tannins lending this a sumptuous texture, although I would have liked a little more finesse and complexity towards the sinewy finish. Still, this is a pleasing Rioja that should age nicely. Drink now-2018. Bodegas Lan was established in 1972 and after a number of itinerant owners, they settled with an investment group, Mercapital, in 2002. Their winery is based in the town of Fuenmayor in Rioja Alta. They own 70 hectares of vineyard, the remainder out-sourced and the wine is raised in a combination of different oak regimes in their barrel cellar that can accommodate some 25,000 barrels. I was impressed by the consistency of these wines that are well-crafted and with a propensity to age. Importer: Well Oiled Wine Company, Leesburg, VA; tel. (703) 771-1477

The 2007 D-12 is also 100% Tempranillo that spent 10 months in new American oak (65%) and French oak (35%). Purple in color, considerably deeper than the Crianza and made in a more contemporary style, it offers up notions of toasty oak, balsamic, incense, violets, and assorted black fruits. Ripe on the palate with a solid core of fruit, it will evolve for 1-2 years and drink well through 2018+. Bodegas Lan is a reliable source for both traditional and modern styled Rioja. Importer: Well Oiled Wine Company, Leesburg, VA; Tel: (703) 725-9022