Alonso del Yerro "Maria" Ribera del Duero 2005

Purple.

Deep clay, barrel spice/toast, blackberry pie aromatics.

Round and creamy in the mouth, saturated, grainy impression throughout. Reminds me of a Pax Syrah in that sense. Not showing much in the flavor department, yet. Acid/tannin synergy reaches the front teeth in the finish. I always wonder if wines like this will ever deliver any complexity in the mouth. But it has nice purity and is obviously well-made (Stephane Derencourt - Bordeaux winemaker/consultant).

Day 4 - Licorice and an exotic blackberry/peach combination on the nose now - with an interesting, seemingly acid-driven, constriction in the mouth. Others might say mineral. Whatever it is, it's a lees-aging thing. Coats the front teeth. It will be very interesting to watch this develop over the next 7-8 years.

$60