Ribera Del Duero

Wine Advocate 94"The 2010 Milcampos Vinas Viejas comes from vines planted in 1930 and raised in French and American oak barrels. The nose is bashful at first with subtle black cherry, iodine and violet scents, but the palate is simply divine with filigree tannins and an effortless, pure, poised

International Wine Cellar 91"Deep, bright violet. Blackberry, cherry-vanilla and licorice on the oak-spiced nose. Deep, sweet and pliant, but with very good juicy character and spicy lift to its dark fruit preserve and licorice flavors. Finishes velvety and long, with fine-grained tannins, a

Wine Advocate 95"The 2009 Antiguos Vinedos comes from four small plots cropped at 3,500 kilogram per hectare, a selection of old vines then raised in new and used oak for 14 months. It has a startlingly fresh bouquet with wild strawberry, raspberry leaf and crushed stone, straight out of the

Wine Advocate 92-95"The 2009 Alonso del Yerro, tasted from a barrel sample, is purple/black in color with outstanding density and richness. It is a promising effort from what looks to be a great Tempranillo vintage in Ribera del Duero. Derenoncourt finds it reminiscent of the 2004. "

Wine Advocate 98"In the absence of a 2001 Unico, Vega Sicilia has re-released the 2000 Unico which I reviewed in Issue 189. The 2000 Unico is deep crimson-colored with an ethereal perfume aided by its extended upbringing. Aromas of Asian spices, lavender, incense, truffle, and confiture of black

International Wine Cellar 94"Vivid purple. Ripe cherry, cassis, potpourri and cracked pepper on the intensely perfumed nose, with subtle licorice and woodsmoke qualities adding complexity. Deep, sweet and expansive, offering explosive dark berry compote, floral pastille and anise flavors. A spicy

Robert Parker 93" The 2005 Prado Rey Elite (100% Tinta Fina Elite clone) was aged in central European oak for 14 months before being transferred to larger wood vats for 6 months of additional aging. Purple in color with a terrific aromatic array of bacon, incense, exotic spices, lavender, black

Wine Advocate 91"Dark ruby-colored, it displays an enticing perfume of cedar, spice box, violets, mineral, and black cherry. Savory on the palate with good grip and balance, it has the structure to evolve."

Wine Advocate 91"A sensational value from Ribera del Duero (which rarely produces interesting wines for under $25), the 2011 Barco de Piedra is 100% Tempranillo aged five months in a combination of French and American oak (85% and 15% respectively), all three-year-old used barrels. It exhibits

Robert Parker 94"I reviewed the 2006 Valbuena in Issue 189 (June 2010) when it was in bottle, but not yet released. It is composed of 80% Tempranillo with the remaining 20% Merlot and Malbec (the latter a rarely seen grape in Spain). Another 8 months in bottle seems to have resulted in a more

Wine Advocate 94"The 2007 Alion continues the winerys string of outstanding vintages. It is 100% Tempranillo with malolactic fermentation in barrel followed by aging in new French oak. It offers up an exceptionally fragrant and complex bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, exotic spices, incense,

Wine & Spirits 91"Mariano Garcia developed his winemaking reputation at Vega Sicilia before joining Aalto in partnership with Javier Zaccagnini. Their 2009 is a juicy and approachable tempranillo, rich with candied cherry notes that fill out the rough tannins—a texture that suggests a pairing with

Wine Advocate 91"The entry-level 2009 Pruno is predominantly Tempranillo with dollops of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged for 12 months in seasoned French oak. Opaque purple in color, it offers up a brooding bouquet of earthy minerality, Asian spices, incense, and assorted black fruits.

Wine Advocate 94+"The 2005 Alion has a captivating perfume of smoke, pencil lead, violets, truffle, cherry, and blackberry. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, firm, sweetly-fruited, layered, and splendidly balanced. It has several years of aging potential and will offer prime drinking from

Stephen Tanzer 90"Dark purple. Intense, spice-accented aromas and flavors of cherry compote and cassis, with cola nuance building with air. Sappy, penetrating and extremely young, but promising, with strong finishing cut and silky tannins. - Tanzer"" 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). Cherry-red

Robert Parker 90"The 2009 Urban Ribera, from what looks to be a great vintage, was aged in French oak for 4 months. Deep purple in color with an inviting perfume of violets, Asian spices, black cherry, and blackberry, on the palate it is layered, plush, and intense. While likely to evolve for 1-2

Wine Advocate 91 - NM"The 2009 Cepa 21 is from 15- to 25-year-old vines and aged in new French and American oak for 14 months. It has a very impressive bouquet with dark red fruit, wild strawberry, hints of dark chocolate and again, just a distant scent of lavender. The palate is medium-bodied

Wine Spectator 90"This firm red offers well integrated flavors of black cherry, licorice, cola and mineral, with solid tannins and a savory finish. Exhibits good balance and density, but remains slightly austere for now. Drink now through 2018." Wine Advocate 90"The 2010 Hito is aged for

Wine Advocate 90"The 2008 Escondido Vendimia Seleccionada spent 14 months in new Hungarian oak. It is also deeply colored with a brooding bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, scorched earth, black cherry, and blackberry. More structured than regular bottling, it will offer a drinking window

Wine Advocate 95-97"The 2010 Pingus soars from the glass with copious dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry and crushed violet scents that are sensual and alluring. The palate is full-bodied and masculine. Indeed, having tasted this in March it seems to have tightened up in the three month to June.

Wine Advocate 89The 2008 Prado Rey Roble is a blend of 95% Tinta Fina with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot aged in barrel for 6 months. Purple in color with a serious bouquet of cedar, spice box, lavender, and blackberry, on the palate it reveals a bit of structure, excellent spicy black

Wine Spectator 90"This polished red offers a core of black cherry and plum, framed by chocolate and coffee notes, supported by well-integrated tannins. Smooth and harmonious. Drink now through 2016. 1,500 cases imported."–TM

International Wine Cellar 91"Youthful purple. Primary, pungent aromas of black and blue fruits, vanilla, fresh flowers and licorice, with slow-mounting spiciness. Broad, palate-coating cassis and boysenberry flavors are framed and lifted by tangy acidity. Showing very well right now but has the

International Wine Cellar 92"Vivid ruby. Spice- and floral-accented aromas of cherry and black raspberry, with vanilla, licorice and mineral nuances building with aeration. Juicy, penetrating dark fruit and floral pastille flavors are braced by tangy acidity and pick up smokiness with air.

Wine Spectator 89" Black cherry, espresso, licorice and earth flavors mingle in this dark, firm red. This shows an austere character, but it's balanced and polished, with a clean finish. Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2014. 4,000 cases made." ~TM