94 Guía Peñín

"Cherry, garnet rim. On the nose, ripe fruit, spicy, creamy oak, toasty, complex, minerally. On the palate, powerful, flavorful, toasty, round tannins." (2013)

92 Josh Raynolds - Vinous Media

"Bright purple. Spicy, highly fragrant nose features perfumed blackberry, violet and orange peel, with hints of smoke and black olive. Really showing the syrah now. Dense, sappy and chewy but surprisingly lithe; the intense red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors are at once taut and rich, thanks to zesty minerality. Finishes very suave and long, with fine-grained tannins and lingering spiciness." (12/10)

91 Wine Enthusiast

"Deep purple in color, with minty, exotic aromas that suggest latex but also richness, vanilla, mocha and spice. The palate is meaty and deep, with smooth-flowing flavors of blackberry, licorice, chocolate and pepper. Young, rich and balanced; hold for two years then drink. 76% Syrah with Monastrell and Bobal. -M.S." (07/11)

91 Jeb Dunnuck - The Rhone Report

"Aged 11 months in 300 liter barrels (85% French) and a blend of 75% Syrah and balance Monastrell and Bobal, the 2008 Finca Sandoval Manchuela is a gorgeous effort that was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Possessing a semi-opaque purple color to go with complex aromas of blacker styled fruits, saddle leather, underbrush, and graphite, it stays light and elegant on the palate, with clean acidity, beautiful purity of fruit, and a classic, lengthy finish. Impressive all around and oh so drinkable, it improves with air and drank beautifully for the two days I had the bottle open. It should continue to impress for 8-10 years." (03/13)

90 Wine Spectator

"Hints of chocolate, espresso and pencil shavings accent this creamy red, featuring layers of ripe black cherry and boysenberry fruit, with aromatic underbrush and olive notes, supple tannins and juicy acidity. Drink now through 2018. 1,000 cases made. -AN" (09/13)