Aalto 2001 Ribera del Duero

Saturated purple/red.

Significant oak contribution on the nose, but it works - savory meat, grilled meat, coconut, blackberry custard and lifted spice notes. Quite lively, refined.

Round middleweight, acid-driven tannin immediately provides textural tension. Earth/custard/coconut flavors fight through significant structure from the mid-palate on. Long, chewy. Loaded.

Mariano Garcia was the winemaker at Vega Sicilia for years. He knows how to use barrels, especially American.

$50, opened yesterday.