2005 Arrocal - Maximo
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Tasting notes
Glass-staining ruby. A complex bouquet displays scents of black and blue fruits, soy sauce and candied violet, along with a suave mineral underpinning. Very rich but improbably graceful, with deep blackberry and boysenberry flavors, supple texture and impressive back-end lift. Gains weight with air but maintains a lithe, spicy character than lingers impressively on the finish. This is sexy enough to drink now but is also built to age.
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Josh Raynolds
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
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The 2005 Maximo de Arrocal is 100% Tempranillo sourced from a 64-year-old vineyard with yields of only 0.5 tons per acre. It received “200% new oak”, spending 12 months in new French oak before racking into another set of new French oak for an additional 12 months. A glass-staining opaque purple, it offers up a classy bouquet of pain grille, leather, lavender, elderberry, blackberry, and incense. Dense and layered on the palate, spice notes emerge along with a hint of black licorice. It has plenty of tannin and the fruit to match. This balanced effort merits 5-7 years of cellaring and will be at its best from 2015 to 2030. Importer: Aurelio Cabastrero, Grapes of Spain, Lorton, VA; tel. (517) 642-0343