Navarra Wine Javier Asencio Crianza 2001 is a solid, highly rated red from the Navarra region of Spain. With a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Tempranillo, it has a ruby black color. Light green pepper, dried cherry aromas follow through to a soft and supple dry, yet fruity medium body with subtle notes of sweet tobacco and cinnamon sticks. It finishes with a tangy berry, tomato, honey and pepper fade. Very refreshing and sure to please. This Navarra wine is aged for over 13 months in oak barrels and pairs well with roasted meats and ham. Drink now through 2011.

The ancient kingdom of Navarra, partly Basque, is nestled in the shadow of the Pyrenees to the north and east, and La Rioja to the west, with the main area around the `bull run town` of Pamplona. The region has made huge leaps in quality over recent years, producing exciting wines from a range of local and international grape varietals. Asensio Viñedos y Bodegas is run by the Sanz Asensio brothers. They founded this winery in 1994 with one goal: to develop quality wines. Settled in the subzone of the Ribera Alta, the owners grow around 70 hectares of vineyards. The plants are based on limestone and alluvial loams in the wilderness of Tierra Estella, Sesma. It is an arid zone where ripening grapes produce very low yields. Theirs is one of the wineries that produces the new wines from Navarra. From Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo is harvest and aged in American oak. Their wines are known as dense and meaty, almost black in the glass with a fresh crisp fruit, heady nose, and a long reverberation. Javier Asensio has succeeded to make some of Navarra's top rated wines. The Guía Peñín has rewarded their wines in every single issue since 1999.

RATINGS: SILVER Medal - WORLD WINE CHAMPIONSHIPS AWARD

90 Points - Penin Wine Guide of Spanish Wines

88 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine
"Clean and maturing nicely, with on the nose a touch of sweet oak. Like all Asensio wines, this crianza from a great year is juicy and slightly lean. The mouth offers easygoing barrel notes backing up bright berry fruit and finishing touches of black pepper and spice. A wine in its prime."

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 14.0%