(98+ points) From the same vineyard as the Vatan release, the 2014 Vatan Arena is the first vintage of the cuvée and was brought up all in new French oak. This deep, inky-colored effort gives up awesome notes of crème de cassis, smoked earth, violets, and vanilla bean. Full-bodied, concentrated, yet opulent and layered, with fabulous purity of fruit and building tannin, this monumental beauty has no hard edges, fine, fine tannin, and a blockbuster finish. It's straight up gorgeous on all accounts yet needs 7-8 years of bottle age and will keep for 3-4 decades.

The 2014 Vatan Arena is sourced from the Quemaos vineyard, planted in 1900 in Toro's Villaester de Abajo area. Aged for 36 months in French oak barrels, this red wine displays a dark garnet color. The nose features balsamic bay leaf notes, hints of menthol and a layer of ripe fruit against an oaky backdrop. Rich, intense and structured on the palate, the firm tannins and calibrated acidity lead to an overwhelming mouthfeel. This ripe and lingering wine is truly Toro. -- Joaquín Hidalgo