Rumor has it that the 2001  Tinto Figuero (Bodegas Garcia Figuero) is the premier vintage of a grower who formerly sold to Pesquera but now has his own bodega. That story seems particularly plausible because this wine clearly brings to mind the 2001 Pesquera Tinto. It is ripe and already hints at secondary complexity. Although the alcohol is 14%, the wine appears rather lithe and elegant - nothing heavy handed or angular. Plum, cherry,and a mix of earthy scents dominate the lively aromatics. The wine is very smooth and balanced in the mouth, with good acidity and a touch of tannins. I’m not certain that the wine will last very long but, also like the ’01 Pesquera, I suspect that it will show some real development in as little as two years. For those that could not find the Pesquera after Parker recently proclaimed it a great QRP, this is a good alternative.