Ribera del Duero Reserva

Score

93

"A very good-value Ribera del Duero that shows vibrancy, structure and fruit. Minerals, hibiscus, fresh cherries and spiced berries. Fine-grained and full-bodied. Firm and densely packed with tannins, but nothing heavy. Drink or hold."

Score

93

"The 2021 Reserva >ster is a more classical Ribera del Duero, showing slightly elevated ripeness. It was aged for 14 months in barrel and is deep garnet in color, with balsamic notes of underbrush and black fruit. The nose is intense, with a hint of sunshine countered by the oak. Juicy and refined on the palate, it offers just the right freshness. Volume and tannins are gentle. A touch of light chalk lingers on the finish."

Score

92

"The 2021 Tinta del Pa¡s Crianza Aster, sourced from Ribera del Duero, aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 75% new. Displaying a purple-red color, the liqueur-like aromas showcase black fruit and wild herb notes over an oak layer. Dry and fairly structured on the palate, it is juicy with fine-grained reactive tannins, creating a compact red."

Score

91

"Toasty mocha and smoke accent the plum cake, plumped black cherry and grilled herb flavors in this fresh, medium- to full-bodied red."

Score

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 fiftyfifty 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. 2033-2075."

Score

93

Score

93

"A lovely brightness and juiciness to this with cherry, spice, and crushed stone. Some tar. Medium-bodied with chewy tannins that have a dusty undertone. Tannic and typical for Duero. Already attractive if you like tannins, but this will soften nicely with two or three more years of bottle age. Try after 2025."

Score

92

Score

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"

Score

90

"Hints of tarry smoke and tobacco offer a subtle, savory underpinning for the focused notes of black cherry and mulberry fruit on display in this lively, medium- to full-bodied red. Lightly chewy, with spice box and vanilla accents on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported."