Artadi Pagos Viejos 2004

Dark cherry, candied plum, blood orange and a warm core of clove, cinnamon and dark chocolate, with rose petal and a thread of vanilla on the nose. Full-bodied and almost opulent on the palate, the fruit is rich to the point of liqueur-like intensity, the tannins absorbed completely into a broad, generous frame. Worth knowing the context: Artadi produced no Grandes Añadas in 2004, so all the fruit earmarked for that flagship bottling was folded into this wine. It shows. Long, spiced finish. Drink now through 2018.