This brawny red is powerful yet remains balanced. Plum and currant flavors mingle with notes of herb, mineral and anise, with a nice counterpoint of fruit and savory notes. Ripe, firm tannins are well-integrated, while lively acidity keeps this fresh. Drink now through 2036. 800 cases made, 50 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add

Focused and polished, this red shows plum, coffee, licorice and loamy earth flavors, with mineral and floral accents. The tannins are well-integrated, and gentle acidity keeps this balanced. Dense and harmonious. Drink now through 2028. 800 cases made, 50 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add

A polished texture carries balanced fruit and savory flavors in this harmonious red. Plum, licorice, tar and mineral notes mingle over well-integrated tannins. Balsamic acidity keeps this lively. Drink now through 2023. 3,000 cases made, 90 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Ribera del Duero Select to Add

A barrel sample of the 2009 Prestigio was impressively dense in the glass. Exotic spices, incense, lavender, Provencal herbs, and black cherry are followed by a smoothly textured, plush, potentially opulent offering that is mouth-filling and exceptionally lengthy. Be prepared to cellar it for 5-7 years following release and drink it through 2029+. Importer: Matarromera USA, Hoboken, NJ; Tel. (310) 625-5301 and for New York and New Jersey: Carlos Hubner-Arteta, Vinos Libres, New York, NY; Tel. (917) 282-6994

The 2009 Matarromera Prestigio is from the Pago La Cabana vineyard that is aged for 18 months: 100% new French oak for nine months, then into 100% American oak for nine months. It has a sweet, not unattractive, spicy bouquet with chocolate, clove and espresso scents, although the American and French oak seems to cancel them out. The palate is full-bodied with rounded, fleshy tannins and touches of orange jus, cough drops and honey toward the viscous finish. There is a core of sweet red berry fruit but the dominant new oak dictates it. Pleasurable, but it does not stand out from the crowd. Drink 2014-2020. Importer: Matarromera USA, Hoboken, NJ; tel. (310) 625-5301; and for New York and New Jersey: Carlos Hubner-Arteta, Vinos Libres, New York, NY; tel. (917) 282-6994