2009Hacienda2009 Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero, Spain.
This amazingly dense and full bodied red is thick with almost a dry port feel on the palate and super long finish that just almost never stops. The 2009 Hacienda Monasterio is made up of mostly Tempranillo, but like Pingus, has Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot, making it a very much a Bordeaux style wine and at about 15% it certainly has ripe and powerful fruit, but refined sweet tannins make it lush and smooth. The nose has classic mocha, graphite and fruit compote with floral notes as well, while the palate is loaded with blackberry, cherry and cassis with touches of sugar plums, new leather, bitter coco, licorice and cedar spice, plus hints of fine tobacco, vanilla and smoky oak shadings. This modern Ribera will entertain and give lots of drinking pleasure over the next few years, and be sure to enjoy with food, especial duck, lamb or prime rib. This is a big expressive wine that s not shy or overly elegant, but it is sinfully good and lots of fun.
($45 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive

By admin