Great Wine: Aalto Ribera Del Duero

By Johannes Marlena

Quintessential Spanish wine. From a brutal, desolate environment at some of the highest vineyard peaks in Europe―where microclimates thrash, scorch, parch, freeze and otherwise test the fortitude of the venerable Tinto Fino vines―emerges a magisterial 2007 AALTO Ribera Del Duero red wine.  Ribera wine is borne out of a conquistador-like spirit, conquering the elements and fates of nature to rise above the soiled rubble, where to the victor go the spoils. Empires are shaped with the inspiration contained inside this bottle. Powerful, intense and concentrated, the dark and brooding fruit of the wine maps out a broad, opulent journey across the palate, leaving behind a treasure of artifacts to be discovered over time. Archeological digs thousands of years from now will uncover remnants of a decadent society, awash in riches and excesses; and they will say: This was the house of Aalto. So, grab a bottle for posterity―and let our records show that this is one of Spain’s great wines.  –J.M.

 

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March 25, 2015