Wine Advocate #195 - Jun 2011 - Jay Miller - Valbuena 2006 - 94 - Drink: 2011 - 2026 - $145-$250 (190)I reviewed the 2006 Valbuena in Issue 189 (June 2010) when it was in bottle, but not yet released. It is composed of 80% Tempranillo with the remaining 20% Merlot and Malbec (the latter a rarely seen grape in Spain). Another 8 months in bottle seems to have resulted in a more expansive bouquet with notes of wood smoke, pencil lead, lavender, Asian spices, black cherry and blackberry. Rich, voluptuous, and lengthy on the palate, it is hard to resist now, but will continue to blossom for several more years and drink well through 2026.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Josh Raynolds - Sep/Oct 11 - Valbuena 2006 - 94 points
Deep ruby.  Heady, exotic bouquet evokes candied cherry, cassis, sassafras, vanilla and potpourri, plus a smoky overtone.  Sappy and expansive but energetic, offering sweet cherry and floral pastille flavors lifted by spice and mineral notes.  Gains sweetness with air and finishes with superb clarity and spicy persistence.  This benefits enormously from aeration but really should be stashed away for at least another five years.