The 2005 Maria is purple/black, brooding aromatically with an array of licorice, tar, truffle, blackberry, and blueberry. This densely packed wine demands 8-10 year of cellaring and will offer a drinking window extending from 2018 to 2040. The current owners purchased this estate in 2002 and hired Stephane Derenoncourt of Bordeaux renown as consultant. The Alonso del Yerro cuvee, made from 100% Tempranillo, typically goes through ML in barrel followed by 12 months sur lie with batonnage in new French oak. The Maria cuvee (also 100% Tempranillo) is fermented in new oak vats, goes through a longer maceration than the Alonso bottling, and is aged in new French oak for 18 months sur lie with batonnage. As a side note, Vinedos Alonso del Yerro has started a new project in neighboring Toro called Paydos. I tasted barrel samples of the first two vintages, 2008 and 2009. They were both exceptional; the 2009, in particular, due to the virtually perfect vintage conditions in Toro.Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767

Tobacco, cola and game flavors mingle in this light-bodied yet rather tough red.??–TM??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add