Founded in 1994, Finca Allende heavily embraces modernist winemaking techniques: these are dense, fruit-driven wines with the strength of material to support their spicy French oak character. Sure, the length of time in oak is down from the past in Spain, but that doesn't mean the influence of the wood is negligible. It's there, but countered nicely by the emphasis on greater concentration, which starts in the vineyard. The special Aurus bottling comes from the estate's oldest vines.

Review

Steve Tanzer Review: Saturated purple. Room-filling bouquet of kirsch, dark berries, incense, floral oils and vanillin oak spices. Silky in texture, with admirably deep, focused red and dark fruit flavors complicated by sexy mocha and floral pastille qualities. Impressively elegant and fresh, finishing with outstanding persistence and a lingering cherry flavor. This boasts remarkable finesse for a wine with such palate impact. Robert Parker Review: The 2004 Calvario is a bit less powerful than the 2005 but is rounder, riper, and more complex. This lush, pleasure-bent wine will benefit from several more years of bottle age and will offer prime drinking from 2014 to 2029. Wine Spectator Review: Elegance with intensity. Delivers smoky espresso flavors from oak, with mineral and anise accents and a core of plum and black cherry. The tannins are firm and fine. Drink now through 2015. 125 cases imported. –TM