Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero 2003

Purple/red.

Leesy/slightly cheesy nose - pudding fruit (raisins, figs), oak spice. Deep, and far better than I describe.

Deep and quite plush, with immediate pudding fruit flavors grabbing attention. Serious mid-palate flesh, especially for the vintage. Seriously structured as well. I have little doubt that this will be better in 3-5 years and drink well for 5 after that.

Monasterio is almost always one of my favorite RdDs

Day 3 - Cream cheese/blueberry pastry on the nose. Difficult to articulate on the palate, but the general impression is one of integration and depth. I'd have no problem sitting on this for several years. Structure coats the front teeth, but earth/pudding fruit flavors ride through it.

Day 7 - Still smells creamy and deep. In the mouth, this is clearly different from the Pesquera, showing lees-enriched mid-palate. Tangy and long.

Flor de Pingus and this wine are made by Peter Sisseck

$40