2019 Tinto Pesquera Reserva, Ribera Del Duero, Spain (Alcohol 15%, Residual Sugar 3 g/l) LCBO Vintages $43.50 (750ml glass bottle)
Pesquera has always been right up there when it comes to the most important houses in the Ribera Del Duero region, and with this 2019 release one can begin to understand why.
This is a rich, ripe, full-bodied wine with considerable depth and complexity. It’s 100% Tempranillo and sees two years of ageing in American oak barriques, as has been the tradition at Pequera since the first vintage in 1975, well before the Ribera Del Duero had its very own DO.
The extremely expressive bouquet has a hell of a lot going on. Fruit-wise, one will find an abundance of blackberries, black cherries, blackcurrants, dark plums, and black raspberries, but this is accompanied by vanilla, pod, cedar, a veritable potpourri of herbs (thyme, rosemary, bay), anise, woodsmoke, freshly tanned leather, 90% cocoa content chocolate, and an interesting dried flower element.
The palate delivers a whole load of extremely ripe dark fruit, but this hedonistic richness is tempered by some serious tannic structure and an acid profile that makes it drink in a very fresh and vibrant manner. The finish is gloriously extended and extremely satisfying.
With a decent decant, this drinks well right now but would only benefit from a few years in the cellar, probably reaching its tasting zenith in around 6-8 years.
Especially lovely after a few hours in the decanter alongside a heavily-herbed shoulder of lamb with loads of crispy fat.
(Four and a half out of a possible five apples)
Tinto Pesquera wines are represented in Ontario by Noble Estates.
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