R.D.R. Dominio Romano 2006

16.5 / 20

Producer: Bodegas Parés Baltà

Region: Ribera del Duero

Country: Spain

This wine is made in Ribera del Duero by a producer from the Penedés region (near Barcelona). Made with Tinta del País, which I think is Tempranillo, this is a powerful, concentrated and robust wine.

At first, the nose is dominated by toast notes, along with some dried, sweet prunes. As it sits on the glass, it starts to gain warmer, more diverse aromas. Vanilla and other spices come to the foreground, along with ripe black fruit. Somewhere way back, there's also a hint of bellpeppers.

Very structured in the palate, with surprisingly lively tannins that manage not to overshadow the taste. Coupled with a refreshing acidity, this is a very young wine that has a distinctive growth margin. Black fruits also mark the taste, along with some nicely integrated oak/toast notes. In the long ending, some spicier notes also come into play - It brought to mind star anise at some point.

From the youth and power this wine still shows, I would not hesitate to keep some bottles for some years, as it will definitely grow.

Tasted on 2011-11-10

Viña Pedrosa Crianza 2007

16.5 / 20

Producer: Bodegas Hnos. Pérez Pascuas

Region: Ribera del Duero

Country: Spain

Made exclusively with tempranillo, this wine has aged for 18 months in oak casks - Crianzas have at least one year in cask. Like in most spanish wines, the oak shines through in the bouquet, conjuring impressions of coffee, vanilla, toast and some chocolate. In this case, a good deal of cherries also come up in the nose, making up an exuberant yet sustained bouquet, that is quite impressive.

Showing also a great deal of oak notes in the mouth, these are quite nicely balanced by some amazing cherries that pervade the taste. Tannins are not yet tamed and there's a freshness to it that makes me believe that this will age well for some more years. Finishes long, with cherry and vanilla notes going for a good while before vanishing.

Definitely worth tasting, this is very good quality for its price range.

Tasted on 2011-06-21