2005 Astrales Christina
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(100% tempranillo, raised for 21 months in new French oak) Opaque ruby. Vibrant raspberry and cassis on the nose, with a mineral undercurrent adding energy. Spicy red and dark berry flavors are firmed by youthful tannins and given spine by bright acidity, which builds with air. Impressively pure, clean and brisk on the finish, with lingering minerality emphasizing the vivid fruit. This is suave enough to drink on the young side.
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2005 Astrales Christina (of which there are a mere 150 cases) is also 100% Tinto Fino sourced from the estate’s oldest vineyard, planted with 85-year-old vines. It was aged for 21 months in new French oak. Opaque purple/black, it reveals a superb perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, leather, spice box, floral notes, licorice, and blackberry liqueur. Massively constructed, powerful, but brooding, this full-bodied, intensely flavored, complex effort has a 60+ second finish. However, it demands a minimum of a decade of cellaring and will still be providing pleasure in 2045. It is a true vin de garde. Importer: Aurelio Cabestrero, Grapes of Spain, Lorton, VA; tel. (571) 642-0343