WA 90 Cropped from a vintage of average temperatures, but more rain than normal, the 2014 Alto Moncayo followed the usual fermentation in small tanks with neutral yeasts and 18 months in new French and 35% American oak barrels. 2014 was a balanced year with normal yields. Both wines are from old, head-pruned Garnacha vines. They do a selection for Aquilón, sometimes part of the plots and sometimes a barrel selection. This is powerful and concentrated, ripe and generously oaked, finding its balance in an XL style. I found the last couple of vintages better balanced and with better-integrated oak than in the past. This is definitely riper than the 2013, slightly different in style but at a similar level of quality. 54,600 bottles were filled in July 2016.- Luis Gutierrez VM 93 Dark violet. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red and dark berries, incense, vanilla and candied flowers, along with a vibrant mineral overtone. Juicy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out steadily on the back half. An impressively long, mineral-laced finish features silky, even tannins and an echo of lavender pastille.- Josh Raynolds JS 91 A big, rich chocolatey nose with powerful black fruits. A very full body and a long, slightly sweet and warm finish behind that. Drink now. JD 94 A more restrained, elegant, structured vintage for this wine (I suspect more due to winemaking than the vintage), the 2014 Alto Moncayo is 100% Grenache brought up in French and American oak. It sports a vibrant ruby/purple color as well as a ripe, yet elegant style in its black raspberries, blueberry, white pepper, and floral aromas and flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with good acidity and a pure, focused character, it needs an hour in the decanter if drinking anytime soon, and should have 10-12 years of overall longevity. It's reminiscent of a modern styled Châteauneuf du Pape (the cuvée Juline from Paul Autard?) and is a gorgeous wine.- Jeb Dunnuck