Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Tinto 2003

In 1987, Alejandro Fernández, the acknowledged master of Spains precocious Tempranillo grape, spied a neglected slope along the Duero River which promised to be the most ideal vineyard site in the region: one full kilometer of southfacing slope leading to the rivers edge, remarkable in the absence of intervening benchland terrain. 15 months in American oak. This year presented a short crop of healthy grapes, resulting in a rich, deeply colored wine with robust, chewy tannins balanced by a perfect touch of clean, toasty oak.

"Bright ruby-red. Superripe but fresh aromas of black cherry and exotic dried red fruits. Supple, suave and fairly deep, with generous flavors of dark cherry, currant and raspberry confit; jammy but not stewy. In the very ripe style of this hot year without losing its balance. Finishes with thoroughly ripe, smooth tannins." -Stephen Tanzer