2005 Orben Rioja
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Tasting notes
Bottled by Artevino for Izadi. 97% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 12 months in French oak. Heavy bottle. Deep dark black cherry colour. Perfumed and exotic but in a subtle way. More enchantment than seduction. Strong, masculine, fresh. Lots of dark fruit, plenty of grip, but leaves the palate feeling fresh and invigorated. Modern, dense, dry. May become more elegant as it ages – it's quite strict at the moment. (JH)
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Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
(tempranillo with a dollop of graciano) Inky ruby. Powerful, alluring aromas of red- and blackcurrant, cherry and blackberry skin, with suave anise and floral overtones. Juicy and precise on the palate, with tangy red and dark berry flavors, silky texture and a strong mineral note on the back. Becomes spicier on the finish, which lingers long. This is impressively elegant.
The 2005 Orben is sourced from 75 micro-parcels of old vines of Tempranillo planted between 1945 and 1954. The wine is a glass-coating purple. Aromas of slate, cedar, tobacco, blueberry, and blackberry lead to a muscular, structured wine which is a bit tightly wound but well-balanced. Intense, concentrated, and lengthy. This large-scaled effort needs 5-7 years of cellaring, and should be at its best from 2015 to 2030. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565