Ribera del Duero

2006 Hacienda Monasterio Ribera del Duero Crianza – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (8/17/2011) Licorice, black fruits, violets and a hint of exotic spices on the elegant nose. Sweet, but not too sweet black fruit on the palate, intermingled with elegant tannins, cherry-like acidity, licorice, exotic spices and a hint of dark chocolate. The aftertaste is long and > Read more …

2008 Pago de los Capellanes Ribera del Duero Crianza – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (7/31/2011) Nice fruit, but a bit watery and light, with a slightly bitter, unpleasant aftertaste, and a mid-palate hole that detracts from the nice fruitiness. Certainly not as good as in better years. (87 points)

2007 Bodegas AAlto Ribera del Duero AAlto – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (7/29/2011) Ripe dark berries, coconut, vanilla, dark chocolate, refreshing acidity, modern styled, but balanced, not over the top, already accessible, but not as deep nor as complex as in better years. I wouldn’t age this. The same on the second day. (91 points)

2005 Bodegas AAlto Ribera del Duero AAlto – Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero (8/4/2009) Espresso, dark chocolate, dark fruit and exotic spices on the engaging nose. Brooding palate, with slightly sweet dark fruit, balancing acidity, dark chocolate, dark coffee, sweet spices, soft, velvety tannins and well integrated alcohol. A lot of material, not fully giving itself, even on > Read more …