Bodegas El Lagar de Isilla S.A. Ribera del Duero Reserva

Impressive again, prominent earth notes with this bottle.

Cork looked new. Surprisingly young profile. Lots of red fruit and tannins. Lots of tannins.

Decanted 4 hours, consumed over 6 hours; which seemed to be the right amount of airing-out time. A lighter-weight version of your typical RdD, but still very tempranillo. Medium intensity on the nose; avp’s notes are right on the money. Tannins have integrated nicely and this is ready to drink. Wouldn't wait much longer though, as the fruit density is starting to wane. Drink now – 2014.

Dark fruit nose with herbs, meat, milky oak, dill and roasted coffee. Fullbodied and refreshingly structured on the palate with mid-intense fruit and ripe tannins gripping a bit. Herbs, dill, and iron. Good length finish with the oak perhaps a bit too prominent. A pleasently structured Ribera. Pretty nice.

Big flavours in this wine, must be left to breathe for at least an hour, very nice afterwards.

This is an exceptional Ribera from northern Peñafiel, absolutely authentic, classy. Very intense dark red colour. Intense bouquet of black fruits, toasted and oaky. Round and powerful palate, ample volume, perfectly integrated tannins, superb length. Drink now through 2016.