Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero 2001

Purple/red.

Vinturi - suave oak toast, menthol, earth, black fruit, spice nose. Light green pepper note adds lift.

Deep and saturated in the mouth, no hard edges, but no sweetness either. More than a little "Bordeaux" in style. But fruit here is more baked (not pejorative). Tannin is still fairly stiff in the finish, but this just needs several more years in bottle.

Day 2 - Ah, now this is kicking in. Deeper, with green element now seamlessly woven into black fruit custard and sumptuous spices. Very deep and long.

$35 on release. Tempranillo and Cabernet primarily, made by Mr. Sisseck.