Ismael Arroyo, Ribera del Duero, Valsotillo Reserva

This is excellent. Gorgeous nose of northern Rhone bacon fat. Rich and enticing, but even on the nose balanced by a sense of freshness around the edges. Mid weight, rich fruit that does suggest Tempranillo, a touch of bacon fat and a finely velvety to densely silky texture. Really quite long. Leggy in the glass suggesting a higher abv than declared, though there’s no sense of heat or alcohol on the palate, and the wine while rich finishes elegantly. Lovely. …

Showing its age as it is dominated by leather and wood with just enough fruit to keep it inoffensive. Not bad, but not exciting, age hasn't done it any favors.

Dark, with brick edges. Wax, incense, and some rotting fruit in the smell. Taste is smoother than expected, but the rotting fruit notes are also in the aftertaste. Also some yellow apple and other interesting stuff. Good.

Very volatile and soapy.

Decanted 2 hours and consumed over 7 hours. Head to head challenge: ’95 Haza, Alenza Reserva (86 pts) vs. ’94 Arroyo, Val Sotillo Reserva (89 pts). This is drinking in its peak window right now. Be sure to decant and filter, as this one throws a lot of sediment. Seems to be in its wheel house in the 2 – 5 hour consumption window. Good nose concentration that shows off the strength of the vintage. Beautiful bricking going on, and …

This bottle less impressive, but very good. Lots of brown, but holding long enough to accent the grilled skirt steak and almond caper tapenade. Very mature, lots of tertiaries, but not over the hill - yet. Drink up, and soon.

Seriously good. Perfectly mature, and very elegant - roses and cedar. Went downhill quickly though, so drink up.

Gave this a decant for sediment (into another bottle) and consumed several hrs later - a classic mature bottle "in the wheel house" Serious dark and elegant. this could have been inserted into a 1990 Pauillac flight without skipping a beat. Dark fruit, plums old leather and spice cabinet. Great aromatics -good texture and a nice structure finish. probably at the top of it's game, though i suspect it will be very good for several more years at least.