2005 D.O.Ca Rioja Reserva Gaudium, La Rioja, Spain

Deep and concentrated, firm, slightly warm aroma of ripe black berries with some dried Mediterranean herbs, black olives, a hint of pepper and a little toasty and bitter chocolaty wood aromas. Ripe, dense, juicy dark fruit, slightly smoky and toasty wood spice, pepper and clearly dried oregano, black olives also on the palate, pepper and bitter chocolate, a touch of coffee, crumbly tannin and some bite, restrained power, deep sweetness, still rather young, very good, juicy finish with some toasty and also ethereal spice.

Best to drink: Bis 2030+. What our ratings mean