Alonso del Yerro Ribera del Duero

Founded in just 2002, Alonso del Yerro make lack decades of experience, but they have figured things out rather quickly. For years, the family simply sold their grapes to larger producers, but at the beginning of the 21st century, they decided to set out on their own. Their 2016 Ribera del Duero was aged in the winery's cellars for a full six years prior to release. The resulting wine is mature, complex, and oh-so delicious. The critics concur!

'This is the vintage that best expresses the change toward more freshness and the expression of the place but with depth and the aging potential that they want to keep. There is an evolution, and this 2016 is aromatic and floral, with some complexity and nuance. They ferment and age separate lots that have the common character of the soil, and they do a blend after the élevage. This is the most elegant vintage for this bottling; there is a lot of precision that I like—perfect ripeness and very integrated oak—with some varietal characteristics. It's a happy wine but not banal. A superb 2016 from Ribera.' - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points.

'Inky ruby. Dark berry and cherry liqueur, fruitcake, smoky oak and a touch of vanilla on the deeply perfumed nose. Stains the palate with pliant black and blue fruit, mocha and floral pastille flavors, while exotic spice and mineral nuances build in the glass. Fleshy and concentrated but surprisingly lively thanks to a core of juicy acidity. Finishes on a gently tannic note, displaying excellent clarity and strong, smoky persistence.' - Vinous Media, 94 points.