Antidoto, Ribera del Duero

One night I'm drinking Riojas grown 60 years ago and bottled 50 past, which blossom in the glass; next night it's RdD grown 5 years ago and bottled 4, which decline in the glass. Well, that settles it -- only flaw is lack of ambition, or as Rostand's Cyrano put it, devoid of pride, of purpose, of soul, of picturesqueness, of contour, of character. . . Drink this 2011 with a steak dinner and chase it with a dessert wine, …

Hour and half decant, dark, opaque purple in the glass with a lovely nose of dark fruits, light leather, a little tobacco. The palate is firm with tannins and light on the acidity but did not come across syrupy, with a smoky element coming into play. A medium/full mouthfeel and a great finish, a solid example of an RdD tempranillo.

Fairly big dark cherry and red berry fruit. Really big tannins that made the wine stick to the sides of our mouths, but in a surprisingly good way. We both enjoyed it.

Wow.... This was eighteen bucks!? Big wine...juicy...flavorful....plenty of stuffing. Drank first of four bottles. No rush on the rest....but if I can find more I will buy it.

At Monopole, blind: Very silky entry, elegant, smooth, concentrated, with complex notes of coffee, sour black cherry, savory herbs. Enticing, but huge, massive tannins in the finish. 100% Tempranillo.

Deep opaque tempranillo. Earthy dark fruit on the nose. Palate coating dark berries, well balanced oak, leather, and dried herb elements. Paired well with a robust stew. A solid value for an everyday drinking tempranillo, a crowd pleaser with a lot going for it.

moderate intensity aromas of cherry, raspberry and blue fruits with floral, perfumed aromas of rose petals and black tea with hints of orange blossom. Tobacco, wood, grill smoke and earth notes weave in the background. the dry full bodied palate is young, compact and medium-plus in intensity. Flavors of plum, cherry and blue fruit meet notes of tea, orange zest, flowers, wood, tobacco and earth. chewy moderate+ tannins and moderate/moderate+ Acidity keep this wine structured. Well made, everything is there, …

Boneta restaurant Deep, dark purple Full bodied, dry, well balanced Musty, burnt wood, wet paper, fruit forward Medium (+) finish Old world wine with some new world characteristics $70. cad