JancisRobinson.com

• By Julia Harding, MW
  1/9/2008 (link)

  (Alonso del Yerro Ribera del Duero Red) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

• By Josh Raynolds
  September/October 2007, IWC Issue #134 (link)

  (Vinedos Alonso del Yerro Ribera del Duero) Subscribe to see review text.

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/9/2008 (link)

  (ALONSO YERRO) UPDATE: Blue Hill/Bourdy Event For those of you traveling to NY for the Blue Hill/Jean Bourdy event this Saturday, please arrive between 5:30-6:00pm. A walk around meet and greet session will last until 6:15pm where the current vintages of Jean Bourdy will be poured. There will also be several treats from the kitchen at Blue Hill passed around - I heard something about "Vegetables on a Fence", "Beet Burgers" and "Parmesan Lollipops" but that's only the beginning. We will sit at 6:15. Please get your rest - this is going to be a gustatory marathon (remember, I've seen the wine list and corresponding menu and it is, how shall I say, insane). If you are arranging transport, the event is scheduled to end between 11:30-12:00. Dress is semi-casual but they recommend jackets for the men (not required but encouraged - ties are not required). As a reminder, you can arrive at the venue early to stroll the grounds - it is forecast to be sunny but quite cold (mid 30s) - there is no snow at present. Keep in mind, the sun sets at around 4:30-4:45 so dress warmly if you are venturing out into the hills. Please note that we cannot open the doors of the venue until 5:30pm. If you have further questions, please direct them to shira@garagistewine.com As an aside, I just went through all the bottles for the event and it was like touching history as I held each of them - I'm getting pretty excited... See you this weekend - - Jon Rimmerman ******************************** Especial Dear Friends, This holiday season has been quite tempered due to the general countrywide (no pun intended) malaise around our fair land. Even with the uncertain tenor of the times, I still find time to celebrate this wonderful life and the three items below will go a long way toward curbing the current sentiment (at least for a few hours). Here are three top buys - one from Spain, one from Champagne and one from Italy - all three have just arrived and all are worth your attention. Small quantities prevent offers to themselves but that does not detract from their regional importance. All are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for their style and relative value. All three have arrived and will be available for local pick up in a few weeks (probably Christmas week). 2005 Alonso del Yerro (Ribera del Duero) EXTREMELY LIMITED at this price Ribera of this intensity is not what I find everyday - Mr. Derenoncourt strikes gold (again) in the Duero valley - this will be swooned over by more than a few of you...I only wish 2005 Canon-la-Gaffeliere was this price: NV Jose Dhondt Brut Blanc de Blanc (Oger) Jose Dhondt has done it again - this is a terrific wine at a very fair price and the best part is that it's already arrived (just in time for the holiday season). I've said many times that Dhondt is one of the most important pioneers of the current grower/boutique movement in Champagne and the house remains at the very top (they are sort of the Chateau Montelena of the movement, many have tried to copy the house style but there is nothing like the original). Forced to make a choice, Dhondt would be my selection as the defining voice of a the new generation in Champagne - that is the highest praise I can bestow on the winery - this parcel is directly from the cellars in Oger: 2004 Castello di Poppiano "Tricorno" (Firenze) STRICT LIMIT 6/person I remember back in the fall of 1997, rummaging around Castello die Rampolla's cellar, when I found a few lone barrels off to the side - I went over and drew my own sample (those were the days) and was floored - I asked "What is this?", they said "We're not sure yet?" - that wine ended up as the debut of Vigna d'Alceo. Why am I relaying this story? Castello di Poppiano is on the precipice of something very big and it reminds me of that day at Rampolla. While they are still completely unknown in the US, their top wine remains under $40 (this wine) and it is a doozy. From a great vintage, the Tricorno is not overdone and it is not in your face. It has loads of red, intense fruit at its base base but it never goes over the edge - it is a new classic representation of the hills above Florence where it is grown. Yes, there is some oak but it's regal oak (there's new oak on virtually every 2005 Bordeaux in your cellar as well). If you want to discover something exciting, this is a wine to watch closely - very hard to find in the US: Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Spain8420 Champ6770 Italy4440