2013 Alfredo Maestro, Tinto Castrillo de Duero, Castrilla Y Leon, Spain.
Alfredo Maestro’s Tinto Castrillo de Duero is an all natural old vine Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero region made by one of Spain’s most creative and passionate wine personalities. The 2013 is juicy fresh with dark intense color and ripe grape flavors, it is somewhat raw and primal at first, but opens to reveal decedent luxury and richness all in Alfredo’s own unique style with lingering concord grape and sweet toffee notes. This pure and purple Tinto takes a bit of air and time to get going, best to decant or be better rewarded on day two or three, as it starts with a shy creamy nature that deceives you before the true palate comes alive, the main thrust is dark berry fruits and black cherry at the core with blackberry, ripe plum and racy currant tanginess. Hints of anise, cedar and terra-cotta/warm stones add to the interest here in this subtlety robust Tempranillo, at 14.5% this native yeast fermented red, aged in neutral used cast, manages to be lush and vibrant and not too heady. With almost no sulfur and with a hint of wildness, the Alfredo Maestro Tinto Castrillo de Duero is a wine that reminds of other leading natural wines such as Lapierre, Occhipinti, La Stoppa and Fabian Jouves. I am a fan of Alfredo and his wines, he is a great character and his small winery near Madrid continues to turn out intriguing and charming wines, drink this 2013 over the next 3 to 5 years, though I’d be interest to see what happens in 10 or 15 years too, best from 2017 to 2022.
($25 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive
