2016 Dominio Aguila, Ribera del Duero, Picaro Aguila Tinto

Opaque ruby. Spice-accented, tightly focused blackberry and cherry scents are accompanied by subtle oak and cola notes and a hint of smokiness. Bitter cherry, blueberry and mocha flavors are sharpened and given a spicy edge by a cracked pepper nuance that builds in the glass. Becomes sweeter and more lively with air and finishes smooth and very long, with sneaky tannins and repeating cherry and spice notes. Made with whole clusters, fermented in concrete tanks and aged in French oak barrels.

Tempranillo with around 5% other local varieties. Fermented in tank and concrete and aged in older French barrels. Deep cherry red. Spicy, rocky, almost savoury dark-red fruit. Dry, chewy texture, the chalky tannins as much as the acidity give freshness. Such finesse in that dry, dark-chocolate-textured finish. (JH)