Vatan (Jorge Ordóñez) Tinta de Toro Toro Arena 2017

95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A vine selection of ancient genetic material, all original massal selection, 2017 Vatan Arena offers finessed tannins that are designed to last. Full-bodied, it’s got the muscle and stuffing to shed as well, plenty to work with as it continues to develop, already lovely in a sweet, perfumed nose of nuanced balsamic and oak, with a baked quality to the berry fruit. It’s the elegance and structure that stand out most, after barrel-fermentation and then aging 36 months in barrique after a selection of the best barrels is made. There are just under 800 bottles of this wine; get it and age 20-25 years. Drink: 2025-2050. (7/30/25)"

95 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "Style: toasty, powerful. Color: very deep cherry. Aroma: complex, expressive, spicy, mineral, roasted coffee. Flavour: elegant, full-bodied, long, great length. (Jun 2024)"

94 points Wine Spectator: "[$450 list] A rich, dense version, with a smoldering underpinning of singed apple wood layered with flavors of strawberry preserves, blackberry paste, cedar, dark chocolate and red licorice. Animated by plum skin acidity, this powerful red shows overall integration and balance but will shine brightest with short-term cellaring. Best from 2028 through 2040. 116 cases made, 50 cases imported. (8/31/25)"

93 points Jacobo García Andrade (JamesSuckling.com): "Very spicy, with plenty of cloves and sweet spices on the nose. This is rich and fleshy, with vanilla and toast flavors. Incisive and firm, built on a solid tannic frame, it’s unapologetically bold. Drink or hold. (10/13/25)"