John Gilman 93+
Bodegas ster is the relatively new Ribera del Duero property of La Rioja Alta. They purchased land and planted vines in 1991, but did not produce any wines themselves until the 2001 vintage, after the tempranillo vines were ten years of age. Their 2019 Tinto Crianza comes in at 14.5 percent octane and was raised for just under two years in casks, with the wood being a fifty-fifty split of French and American oak. The 2019 version offers up a youthful and refined bouquet of plums, black cherries, cigar smoke, clove-like spice tones, a good foundation of soil and a generous serving of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and nascently complex, with lovely depth of black fruit, good soil undertow and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a beautifully balanced, long, and focused finish. This is going to be simply outstanding wine once it is ready to drink.

Tim Atkins 93
We're looking for less wood and more freshness in the wine, says Alejandro Lpez of this perfumed, nicely weighted Crianza from three parcels around the bodega. Youthful bright and alluring, with deftly integrated 75% new wood, some stony reduction, notes of mint, raspberry and black cherry and sculpted tannins.

Wine Spectator 91
" A toasty edge of smoke, mocha and vanilla notes accent the pureed cherry and baked plum fruit flavors in this harmonious red. There's a zesty, spice-laden underpinning, with fine, taut tannins wrapped in a creamy texture and a fresh note of loamy earth lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 8,300 cases made. 1,100 cases imported. From Spain.Alison Napjus"

Tasting Notes
"This shows really attractive fresh blueberries, violet and elderberry reduction with vanilla. Full-bodied but with firm tannins that pick up the dark fruit and carry it medium-long.

The Wine
ster Crianza is made from 100% Tinta del Pas from the vineyards surrounding the winery. It was aged for 22 months in half French and half American oak.

The Estate
In the 1990s, La Rioja Alta decided to try their luck in the Ribera del Duero, where terroir and microclimate meet to invite the utmost expression of the Tempranillo grape. They sought the best possible site following the advice of the Denominations best growers and different academic experts. Also, La Rioja Alta studied and analysed the soil, grapes and weather of many different subzones. Anguix (Burgos) was finally selected as the ideal location and in 1991 they planted the vineyard on land that was purchased the previous year. They chose to name this new venture Bodegas Aster after a Spanish flower that blooms at harvest.

The grapes from the first seven harvests were sold. In 2000, having verified the quality of the vineyard and the grapes, a winery was built representing a perfect combination of cutting-edge wine-making technology and timeless elegance in design. That year saw the creation of the first ster offering.

Farming Practice:Practicing Organic