The 2015 Roureda Llicorella Classic is a blend of 65% Garnacha and 35% Cari?ena matured in used French and American oak barrels for 12 months. It has ripe black fruit and a touch of spices. The palate is medium-bodied with some earthy tannins. 15,156 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2017.

I found more depth and character in the 2014 Roureda Llicorella Classic than in the 2015. It has a nice balance between fruit and oak and a medium-bodied palate with fine tannins and good freshness. The blend is slightly different—50% Cari?ena, 35% Garnacha and 15% Merlot—and it matured in barrel for one year. 16,315 bottles produced.

The 2011 Llicorella Classic is a blend of Garnacha, Merlot and Cari?ena matured in barrel for over one year. It has very ripe fruit aromas with some spicy, volatile hints that are followed by similar sensations in the palate along with fine tannins. It is rather simple and lacking a bit in the mid-palate. 50,000 bottles produced.

The 2009 Roureda Lllicorella Classic is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 40% Carinena, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot from vines over 30 years in age, aged in new French oak for 10 months. It has a crisp, blackberry, raspberry and liquorice-scented bouquet that is tightly coiled at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent entry that leads to a fleshy middle. It never really builds on the promise of the nose and drifts towards the finish. Drink now-2015. Importer: Monsieur Touton Selections, NY; tel. (212) 255-0674

Intense up front, with potent black fruit aromas offset by a lactic creaminess. Racy and juicy in the mouth as bright, penetrating blackberry flavors hit hard and then are softened by flavors of chocolate and mocha. Feels a little acidic and strained, but should age nicely for up to five years. ——M.S.(2/1/2012)—— 89