Pagos Seleccionados, Ribera del Duero, 2019

Pagos Seleccionados is always a more powerful, classical Ribera del Duero, a “selection within a selection” focusing on the prime village of La Horra, comprised of very old vines from the very best sites. The 2019 saw 21 months in new French oak. Qualitatively it sits with the likes of Vega and Pingus, but at a snip of the price. More concentrated and dense than the straight Aalto with dark plum, liquorice and forest floor notes, a certain stony minerality and more imposing tannins, the oak, while present, is superbly integrated and adds to an overall sense of sleekness and style that is mightily impressive. Best broached after a minimum of five years in bottle.