One of the Cigales region’s big new wineries, Museum seems to be getting on track. This wine, from a very hot year, is composed, rich and in good balance. It has a slight baked character that’s offset by almond candy, black cherry and toast notes. Black plum is the lead flavor, with coffee and molasses providing a rich background. Drink now and over the next two years.
— M.S.
(4/1/2009)
Purple and dense, with generous aromas of toasty oak, dark fruit and violet-like flowers. It’s big and young, but well-knit. There is a ton of black-fruit flavor, admirable tannic grab, overall balance and length. Maybe it’s not a mind-blower, but as Cigales seeks to achieve prime standing, wines like this will only help. Drink now through 2012.
— M.S.
(4/1/2009)
A very good wine from Cigales that opens with dark cherry, char and tar, minerality and rustic leather and herb aromas that aren’t 100% laboratory clean. The palate has snap and flavors of herbal berry and cherry, while the finish is drying and crisply tannic. A food-friendly wine that’s ready to drink.
— M.S.
(11/1/2010)
This is a heady, mature wine with lots of ripe berry aromas, earth and spicy oak notes to the nose. In the mouth, it’s solid and structured, with deep, lightly baked raspberry, plum and brown sugar flavors. The finish is full, chunky and medium in length. Drink now.
— M.S.
(5/1/2013)
Gets off the blocks with Middle Eastern spice notes of cumin and curry, but later on open-cut wood and vanilla take over. Bold cherry, blackberry and black olive flavors are solid, while the mouthfeel is tannic and rowdy. Possibly too grabby for some, but if you like Tempranillo taken to the extreme this might be your ticket. Imported by Frederick Wildman & Sons, Ltd.
— M.S.
(4/1/2006)
Amid all the big, dark wines coming out of Spain, it’s sometimes nice to see a lighter-styled, old-school example such as this. The color is brick, while the nose is light, leathery and dosed with cranberry and raspberry. The feel is fresh and lively, with fresh-fruit flavors, tomato leaf and a touch of vanilla and spicy oak. Definitely a wine to drink now.
— M.S.
(4/1/2009)
Spunky up front, with lighter-framed cherry, raspberry and graphite scents as well as a touch of grassy green. The palate is firm and certainly not soft, with lightly herbal red berry, mocha and tobacco flavors. Both sweet and spicy on a crisp, acid-driven finish. Drink now.
— M.S.
(12/15/2011)
Baked berry, earth and black tea aromas give this wine a solid opening, while the mouthfeel is gritty but honest. Flavors of brown sugar and lightly baked berry fruit indicate the warmth and stony soils of Cigales, while the finish hints at cassis liqueur. Drink now before it fades.
— M.S.
(4/1/2010)