Color: Medium to dark ruby, clean with good clarity
Nose: Intense black cherry, cola, broken stones, violets, a little alcoholic heat and spicebox aromas
Palate: Black cherries, mineral, and spice. Acidity is medium + and the tannins are lush and velvety, persistent but well integrated. Oak is perceptible but not out of balance. Alcohol is not as pronounced on the tongue as it is on the nose. Finish is sweet and long 25 seconds.
Overall perception: I like this very much. It clearly is new world in style, but doesn’t come across as over extracted or uber intense in any of it’s characteristics. I have had the 2004 Alto Moncayo and the little brother is much more expressive at this point and for that reason more enjoyable. It is also priced really fairly for all that is going on in the glass.
Retail approx $25.99
A new world style coming out of the old world? The thought! 
Well…
It is Chris Ringland making the wine.
I enjoy the style of wines that are being crafted at Alto Moncayo. I am sure lots of Spanish fans don’t like the Aussie hand in it, but I find them more accessible than his wines from Down Under.
That reminds me of a joke:
Q: What’s an Aussie Kiss?
A: Same as a French Kiss but given down undah…
Thank you, thank you, my comedy will be weak all here…
PS ~ I’m sending one of these down for pre FFII
How is the Acquilon Mark? Costco had a case of these today…costly indeed, but super concentrated and full throttle grenache is my style.
Damn Yummy!! Had a bottle of 06 with my peeps in Houston a couple of weeks ago. Not as big and plush as the 2005, but still a monster.
Compared to El Nido, howsit?
Different critter. The El Nido has such a great sweet fruit thing going for it - and more pronounced vanilla and coconut from the oak. The Acquilon isn’t as bright and sweet… and little deeper and slightly rougher around the edge, but in a good way.
Fair enough…I’m sold. I’ll go back manana to get one along with my restocking of '07 Saint Cosme CdR.
I thought the '06 Veraton was fairly terrible. I usually dig these wines but this one I could not get behind.
I did like that the price has returned to reasonable on this wine though.