93 Jay Miller - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The deep crimson-colored 2007 Finca Sandoval is made up of 79% Syrah, 13% Mourvedre, and 8% Bobal made entirely from estate-grown fruit. The wine was aged for 11 months in new and seasoned French and American oak. It offers up a brooding bouquet of underbrush, mineral, spice box, blueberry, and blackberry. Packed and impeccably balanced, this savory, layered effort is surprisingly forward for its size. It can be approached now but will be better with 2-3 years of additional cellaring." (04/10)

93 Jeb Dunnuck - The Rhone Report

"A noticeable step up and a blend of 76% Syrah, 13% Monastrell, and 11% Bobal, aged all in French oak, the 2007 Finca Sandoval Manchuela is a deep, serious wine, delivering meaty black cherry and cassis like fruits intermixed with cedar, lavender, minerals and background wood aromas on the nose. Very smooth and suave, with a polished, balanced style, full body, solid mid-palate concentration, and a long, silky finish, this superb wine should drink well for a decade or longer. This needs an hour decant to really show well and continues to improve in the glass. I'm a fan of the structure and depth here, and would love to seem more serious examples like this coming from Spain." (03/11)

92 Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media

"Glass-staining purple. Suave, finely focused aromas of dark berries, Asian spices, anise and smoky minerals, with a sexy mocha undertone. Juicy and nicely balanced, with sweet blackberry and blueberry flavors, gentle spiciness and tangy minerality. The mineral quality helps to extend the sweet, sappy finish. There's an understated, precise quality to this wine that's extremely attractive." (10/09)

92 Wine Enthusiast

"Earthy, deep and meaty, with rubber and heft to the nose, but also a ton of black fruit. Texturally, it's like velvet; and the palate is super ripe and lengthy, with flavors of blackberry, mocha, coffee and fine oak. A Syrah-led, full-bodied beauty that's subtle and not overpowering. Drinkable now but best in about 3-5 years. -M.S." (07/11)

90 Wine Spectator

"Shows a pure beam of briary blackberry, black cherry and spice flavors, accented by hints of vanilla and dried herbs. The supple tannins frame the wine, while juicy acidity enlivens it. There's good concentration, in a more elegant package. Drink now through 2014. 250 cases imported. -AN" (11/10)