A worthy successor to the superb 2004, the 2005 Astrales is 100% Tinto Fino sourced from vines ranging in age from 30-85 years. The grapes were fermented with native yeasts and the wine was aged for 18 months in French and American oak, 30% new. Purple-colored, it exhibits an enticing perfume of toasty oak, pencil lead, mineral, blackberry, and licorice. Smooth-textured, layered, and intensely flavored, the wine is currently tightly wound but very well-balanced. It will need a minimum of 5-7 years to reveal its full potential. This lengthy effort will well reward those with patience (and youth) by providing pleasure through 2030. (Robert Parker wa)