Pagos Seleccionados, Ribera del Duero, 2011

As is often the case, the Aalto PS 2011 is more introvert than its little sibling from barrel. With air, a seamless stream of dark, graphite-edged fruit reveals itself set around gloriously sleek tannins and a dark mineral element. What’s so great is that it’s not all dark; a floral top note provides a striking counterpoint, alongside notes of cherry. This is certainly a powerful wine yet one so refined as to be extremely seductive. Aged in 100% new oak barriques. One of the great cuvées of Ribera.