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Values in Ribera del Duero
Chris H's home
Tasted August 24, 2016 by Loren Sonkin with 358 views
Introduction
Last night my tasting group met in search of wines from Ribera del Duero (Spain) that were 1) available in the local northeast Ohio market, and 2) priced roughly $20 to $40 (although we did go a bit lower and a bit higher). The wines were served blind and consumed over a few hours. Assorted cheeses, olives and breads were served with them. This group did this same topic in 2009. It was surprising how many fewer wines were on the local shelves now from DdD. Most stores had only one or two. Some had none. Trying to think back from the early 2000's when RdD was the next big thing in Spain, and noticing how Priorat and then a bit of revival in Rioja has, at least locally, taken a lot of the steam out of the RdD market. That said, there is good value to be found in this price range. Of course, Vega Sicilia, Pingus, and the like to offer top wines for top dollars, but to be able to find a wine that will age and improve in the cellar is what we were looking for. An example of this is the 05 Emilio Moro. A third place finisher in 2009, it was a fourth place finisher in 2015 and still has plenty of life left in it. This was around $30 at a local supermarket in Cleveland on release. I have gone thru half a dozen and all have been excellent.
Flight 1 (1 note)
White
2013 Martín Códax Albariño Rías Baixas
87 points
Light golden in color. The nose has a bit of an odd note of older red apples. On the palate, this is fresher and more vibrant. Good acidity. Tart green apples. I suppose there is some degradation given its age. Jeff noted that it did not have the richness of an Albarino. It probably should have been drunk a year or two ago, but it still was a fine way to start the tasting.
Flight 2 (12 notes)
Red
2005 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero
91 points
I put this in as an extra bottle. It had been in our last group tasting of this area back in 2009. It showed very well IMO. The nose has cherries, plums and some sawdust. On the palate, this still has firm tannins. Plums and licorice. Slight bitterness on the finish. No real hurry on this as this is ageing out just fine.
Red
2011 Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero Malleolus
86 points
The group liked this far more than I did. In fact, it was the group's WOTN garnering 3 first and 2 second place votes (out of ten). It also had one last and one second last. Both of us felt this wine was simple and soft. It turns out that I had brought this bottle after seeing it on the local shelves for $50. That seemed like a great price compared to prior years. I popped the cork and let it breathe for 5 hours prior to serving. Purple in color. The nose is simple with cherries. Soft texture. On the palate, simple one dimensional dark cherries. Nothing wrong but nothing going on. As the bottles were passed around the table, I did get the last pour although there was still plenty left in the bottle. Jeff thought this concentrated and very tight but with the most potential. Ray found it drinking the best on the night. Who knows? At $50, I won't be buying another, but would love to try it in a few years.
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Comments (1)
Red
2009 Hacienda Monasterio Ribera del Duero Reserva Especial
91 points
The group had this in last place. Obviously, I liked it more than that. Purple in color. The nose has spice and cedar along with cherries and black cherries. Very "new world" nose or perhaps I should call it "modern". In any event, the nose hinted that this wine would need some time to integrate. On the palate, the oak is a bit less noticeable but the tannins are firm. That said, there is a lovely texture. Lots of black cherries and plum fruit. Very concentrated and powerful. This need at least five years in the cellar.
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Comment
Red
2011 Torres Ribera del Duero Céleste Crianza
87 points
Purple in color. The nose has a slight funk/barnyard to it. Also some plums. Firm tannins. Slightly tart dark cherry fruit on the palate. Not a lot of depth. Bitterness on the finish. Decent enough wine for around $20.
Red
2012 Bodegas Convento de las Claras Ribera del Duero Las Claras
90 points
Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black cherries, smoke, and tobacco. On the palate, cherries and spice continue. Medium tannins. Some depth. Drinks well now but should improve a bit. IIRC, this is under $20. Good value.
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Comment
Red
2011 Bodegas Ordoñez S.L. Avante
89 points
Purple/ruby in color. The nose has spice and black cherries. Firm tannins. Black cherry fruit. Some depth. Nice finish. For around $20, this has some good value. Nice finish.
Red
2012 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Tinto Pesquera Crianza
91 points
Another wine that I liked more than the group who had this in second last place. Purple if a bit cloudy in color. The nose has a lot of barnyard on it. I don't mind some brett but I assume this is why the group did not like this. On the palate, this drinks like a nice inexpensive Bordeaux. That is cherries, tobacco, some funk. Nice finish. I wonder if there are fresh bottles of this (probably not in Cleveland).
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Comment
Red
2010 Bodegas Viña Vilano Ribera del Duero Crianza
92 points
IIRC, Lou picked this up for around $16. Probably a nod to the vintage as most of the wines tonight were 11-13 and 2010 was a much better vintage especially at the lower end in RdD. Purple/ruby in color. The nose is tight but shows some dark cherries, a bit of tobacco and hints of cedar. On the palate, there is not a lot of complexity here, but there is very vibrant fresh dark cherries. Light tannins. Delicious. I doubt it improves of gets better but for immediate drinking this is a great value. The group had this at #2 (it was #3 for me), although it got no first place votes either.
Red
2010 Aster Ribera del Duero Crianza
92 points
Another wine that I think was helped by the superior vintage. Purple in color. The nose has spice, dark cherries and smoke. On the palate, there is a nice complexity here as it unwinds in the glass. Lots of dark cherry fruit intermixed with charred wood and spice. Light but present tannins. Perhaps still some upside. IIRC, this is priced in the mid-$20's which is pretty fair.
Red
2011 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Crianza
88 points
Purple in color. The nose has some brett/barnyard on it but not a lot. Also some cherries. On the palate, there is a sweet dark cherry fruit element that makes this come off as a bit cheap (if that makes sense). It is a solid wine though. Nice acidity. Again, a bit sweet on the finish.
Red
2012 Bodegas Ordoñez Tineta
89 points
I believe this is the little brother to the Avante earlier in the tasting. Another wine that IIRC was under $20 and has great value. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has cherries, smoke and chocolate. On the palate, this has medium tannins. The spice, chocolate and cherries carry thru. It does have some complexity and may continue to develop further.
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Comment
Red
2011 Pago de Carraovejas Ribera del Duero Reserva
92 points
My WOTN and the groups #3. Dark purple in color. The nose has spice, cherries and some plums. Maybe some tobacco. On the palate, black cherries, and spice. Medium tannins. This has more of an old world feel to me with still having vibrant fruit. Good finish.
Closing
A lot of fun and I will be looking to lay a couple of these down.