Wine Lovers' Page: Val Sotillo 1995 Ribera del Duero

Today's Wine Tasting Note

Following up on the previous night's tasting of the bargain Pradorey 1996 Ribera del Duero, we opened a fine 1995 Ribera del Duero from Bodegas Ismael Arroyo that bore a price tag well over double that of the Pradorey. An excellent wine it was, ripe and rich. But more than twice as good as the low-end Ribera? I'm not sure I can say that.

Val Sotillo 1995 Ribera del Duero ($17.99)
Inky dark purple, almost black, with pleasant leather and ripe black-fruit aromas. Full, tannic and tart, big fruit and big structure. So much fruit that it drinks well now, but the tannins need time to resolve. Importer: Cutting Edge Selections, Cincinnati. (March 5, 1998)

FOOD MATCH: Good with a "tannin-wiping" pan-grilled flank steak with a quick pan-reduction sauce of red wine, Amontillado Sherry, garlic and fennel.

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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