DOMINIO DEL AGUILA Penas Aladas Gran Reserva , Ribera del Duero

Dominio deAnza Anza La Rioja DOCa La Rioja: as good as Rioja gets. Luis Guitterez, Spains pre-eminent critic, compares it to a ballerina, such the wines grace. From the Alavesa sub-zone, abutting the Sierra Cantabria, a mountainous mesoclimate of meagre topsoils and limestone substrata. An ersatz field blend driven by Tempranillo of course, with a buttress of Graciano, Garnacha, Viura, Tinta Velasco and others. Contemporary styling, yet mid-weighted like digestible Rioja of old, with moderate alcohol and the structural latticework to promote serious cellaring. Fecund red berry riffs, Seville orange, rosemary, thyme and lavender-doused tannins, unravelling long across the palate to boot. Ultra fresh, savoury and immensely versatile. Continental by nature such is the depth of fruit and juicy acidity, swung to the point of immaculate poise by the regions strong diurnal shifts. A harbinger of more excitement to come from this address.

51% Touriga and 49% Tempranillo. Although both quite tannic varieties, winemaker Peter Leask has crafted a youthful yet surprisingly supple drop. Delicious!Deep red to crimson. Fragrant nose of violets, blackberry, mulberry, tobacco and vanilla. Ripe black and purple fruit, with a seductively plush texture, some attractive cigar box and leather complexity, and a powerful finish. Yet to show its best.

Vinas de Gain is Artadis entry level wine typically showing vibrant black fruit, plush tannins and a smooth supple texture. The Tempranillo grapes are sourced from vines between 25 and 40 years of age that are managed along organic and biodynamic lines. Vinas de Gais is matured in up to 40% new and 60% one and two year old casks for 12-14 months.