| 2007-11-28 10:46 |
IWC: By Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Issue #133, July/August 2007)
(Bodegas Los Astrales Ribera del Duero) ($55) Opaque purple. Suave, oak spice-accented blackberry and candied plum aromas, complicated by sexy violet and rose florality. Sweet and velvety but focused, with lively blueberry and creme de mure on the palate and hints of candied licorice and black tea on the back. Firms up on the finish but there's a boatload of sweet, potent dark fruit here, suggesting that this will repay another five-plus years of aging. (Grapes of Spain, Lorton, VA) 92 points |
| 2007-11-28 10:47 |
WA: The 2004 Astrales is 100% Tinto Fino (the local clone of Tempranillo) aged for 18 months in French and American oak, 30% new. Opaque purple-colored, it offers a fragrant bouquet of cedar, earth, spice box, blackberry, and licorice. Densely packed on the palate, the wine has outstanding depth and concentration, full, ripe tannins and great balance. It will require at least 6-8 years of additional cellaring to emerge from its cocoon and then should drink well for another 20+ years. Importer: Aurelio Cabestrero, Grapes of Spain, Lorton, VA; tel. 571.642.0343 fax (571) 642-0505 |