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2010 February Wine Club Reserve Selection
This is the second selection in this month's lineup from maverick Spanish winemaker Telmo Rodriguez. Along with a few other notable winemakers he rediscovered, modernized, and elevated the production of Tinto de Toro (the local clone of Tempranillo) from decades-old bush-trained vineyards. Aged in a combination of traditional foudres and French barriques for about a year, this wine gains some serious heft on the palate while retaining a dose of rich ripe fruit.
Wine Enthusiast called it a "high-octane wine"; we think that it represents the more modern style of Spanish winemaking well, offering a weight and an opulence reminiscent of California Cabernet or Syrah. Reviews Jay Miller Wine Advocate 91 Points
The 2005 Gago was aged in a combination of large oak and new French barriques for one year. It delivers greater aromatic complexity with aromas of cedar, spice box, violets, espresso, and black cherry jumping from the glass. On the palate it has plenty of spicy, savory fruit, excellent grip, good intensity, and a lengthy, pure finish. It has enough structure to evolve for 3-4 years and will be at its best from 2012 to 2020.
International Wine Cellar 90 Points
Glass-staining ruby. Powerful, spicy aromas of red and dark berries, with notes of licorice, cola and dried violet adding complexity. Broad and fleshy but focused, with sweet black raspberry and cassis flavors, velvety texture and a kick of smoky minerals on the back end. The finish echoes the dark berry and spice notes and lingers with impressive clarity. For a powerful wine, this is pretty suave. | 
