93 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2008 Espiritus de Apalta is composed of 80% Carmenere and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from a vineyard planted in 1870 and aged for 14 months in 70% new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it offers up a brooding bouquet of sandalwood, exotic spices, dried herbs, lavender, blueberry, and black currant. Voluptuous on the palate with layers of spicy black fruits, nicely concealed ripe tannins, and incipient complexity, all this beauty needs is another 3-4 years of cellaring to reveal its full potential. It will provide prime drinking from 2015 to 2023. (Feb 2012)"

91 points Wine Spectator: "This compact red slowly opens to reveal dense, layered flavors of plum sauce, fig paste, game and iron. Fresh, with integrated tannins and a long, mocha- and spice-tinged finish. Decant or set down for the short term. Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2014. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,742 cases made. (2/29/12)"