2010 Mauro Crianza

(90% tempranillo and 10% syrah): Opaque ruby. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented aromas of cherry-cola, potpourri, vanilla and pepper. Sappy, focused and energetic on the palate, offering sweet red fruit compote flavors with complicating notes of licorice, mocha and candied violet. Dusty tannins build slowly on the finish, which lingers with excellent spicy, floral persistence. Livelier than the excellent 2009, which is more powerful and deeply pitched by comparison.