This is a small production (1600 cases), hand crafted wine from a family-owned winery in Paso Robles. This area of rolling hills, about 20 minutes from the ocean in the Central Coast of California, is an ideal spot for varietals that like to struggle. Cabernet vines planted on gentle slopes get perfect drainage, lots of sunshine during the day, and the cool breezes from the Pacific at night sweep in to put them to bed. This wine displays a bright ruby color and blackberry and cassis on the nose. Next comes a jammy, supple mouth with raspberry, pomegranate, and a hint of tart cherry on the finish.

91 POINTS Robert Parker

The 2006 Claraval, 100% old-vine Garnacha, was sourced from higher elevation vineyards. Opaque purple-colored, the wine coats the glass. It gives up an alluring aromatic array of wood smoke, mineral, scorched earth, black cherry, black raspberry, and violets. This leads to a medium to full-bodied, layered wine with loads of sweet, spicy dark fruit flavors, ripe tannin, good balance, and a long, pure finish. Give it 2-3 years to blossom and drink it through 2020.  To this point, the D.O. of Calatayud has been best known for exceptional value. However, this is slowly changing as people appreciate just how good the wines made from its old-vine Grenache vineyards can be.