Mauro Terreus Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León 2012

97 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "The 2012 Terreus Pago de Cueva Baja is a single-vineyard Tempranillo from a plot of old vines in the village of Tudela de Duero. In 2012 they have added grapes from some younger vines in the same Pago de la Cueva Baja on very chalky soils at higher altitude (at some 800 meters) in search of a more elegant, fresher wine, and it shows here. The color is a dark, bright ruby color (it's not black at all). The nose is very sharp with red berries, and is focused, gentle, subtle and complex with great freshness. The palate is less spectacular than in other previous vintages; it's tight and more serious with awesome balance. This has all the components and the balance to have a long life in bottle. They still age the wine in 100% new oak, but through viticulture, with higher acidity and less alcohol, the oak has a different impact in the wine. Here the oak is not even a secondary actor. With this new style, the wine is drinkable now, but it will gain much more complexity and depth if you have the patience to keep your bottles. Some 9,000 bottles were filled. There already told me that there will be no Terreus in 2013. Drink: 2015-2032. (Oct 2015)"

96 points/'Podium Award,' Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "(100% tempranillo). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: balanced, complex, ripe fruit, spicy, balsamic herbs, earthy notes. Palate: good structure, flavourful, slightly dry, soft tannins, balanced. (2016)"

95 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Opaque ruby. Intense, smoke-accented aromas of fresh red and blue fruits, candied flowers and cracked pepper gain urgency and lift from a slow-building mineral quality. At once rich and energetic, offering sappy black raspberry, blueberry and spicecake flavors that are lifted and given spine by a core of juicy acidity. In a suave, seamless style that displays noteworthy finesse and clarity. Finishes sweet, seamless and impressively long; velvety tannins arrive late and add shape and gentle grip. Drink: 2019-2026. (May 2017)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "[$175 list] Plush and powerful, this bold red delivers black cherry, blackberry, cocoa, toast and spice flavors, supported by well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity. Features depth and harmony, in the modern style. Drink now through 2024. 800 cases made. (10/15/16)"