Wine Lovers' Page: Pradorey 1996 Ribera del Duero

Today's Wine Tasting Note

It doesn't seem to make sense that a 1996 Ribera del Duero would come so cheap, and it might have been instructive to taste this one amid a "blind" flight of its competitors to give it a thoroughly objective rating. But as best I can judge from a straightforward tasting before and during dinner, this item from Bodegas Real Sitio de Ventosilla represents quite a bargain at its low-rent-district price.

Pradorey 1996 Ribera del Duero ($7.99)
Very dark garnet color, with a fresh black-fruit aroma enhanced by whiffs of anise and leather. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors are well balanced by snappy citric acidity and light, accessible tannins. Seems a match for its pricier brethren, and definitely a bargain. U.S. importer: Cutting Edge Selections, Cincinnati. (March 4, 1998)

FOOD MATCH: The full, ripe fruit flavors made it a natural match for a simple Italian-style casserole of pasta shells with ricotta, mozzarella and tomato sauce.

All my wine-tasting reports are consumer-oriented. In order to maintain objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest, I purchase all the wines I rate at my own expense in retail stores.

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