Pagos Seleccionados, Ribera del Duero, 2021

Name: Pagos Seleccionados, Ribera del Duero
Brand: Aalto
Price: 565.12 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2019 2020 2021 2022

justerini & brooks tasting note

Pagos Seleccionados is always a more powerful, classical Ribera del Duero. A “selection within a selection” focusing on the prime villages of La Horra and La Aguilera, the vines average 60-90 years old. Qualitatively it sits with the likes of Vega and Pingus, but at a snip of the price. Dark fruited with flowers dusted in coffee and chocolate, a certain stony minerality and spice. Best broached after a minimum of five years in bottle. Raised in new French oak for 21 months.

critic reviews

95/100Luis Gutierrez,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2021 PS has a similar profile as the regular Aalto but with a little bit more of everything, more ripenessplaying dangerously with overripenessand alcohol (15%), more concentration and power and also more oak that reveals itself in the shape or aromas of fried corn. It's powerful and tannic, in need of years in bottle and/or powerful food. This is very good in its style, impeccably crafted and aged in the best barrels money can buy. 35,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2023.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2036

date of review 06/2024

95/100Joaquin Hidalgo,Vinous

The 2021 PS is 100% Tempranillo, primarily sourced from clay soils in La Horra and Aguilera, and was aged for up to 20 months in French barrels. Garnet-red in hue. Cherry and cola notes complement pine and dried flowers against a vanilla and cedar backdrop. It's broad and creamy in the mouth, with a chalky core and a lasting oaky flavor. This tasting occurred just after bottling, but it promises to develop a more nuanced character in the medium term.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2040

date of review 11/2023