2011 Alfredo Maestro, Vina Almate, Penefiel, Valladolid, Spain.
This wonderful 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) is smooth luxurious red that shows this varietal in it’s purest form with creamy rich fruit, spices and warm earthy stones, capturing it’s magical natural essence. Alfredo Maestro is a spirited artisan that is exploring his own way and carving out a special niche in the wine world, and lots of people are taking notice, and he is making a long list of exceptional wines, like this pretty and detailed red from his home town of Penefiel. Maestro has to deal with some of Spain’s hardest growing conditions and still manages to craft beautiful and graceful wines. The 2011 Vina Almate is dark with a garnet hue, it has a bouquet of poached plums, hosin sauce and raspberry with a hint of dried flowers. The palate is clear and medium weighted with cherry and red currant fruit, earthy truffle, chalk, lavender, anise and toffee all flow in a round elegant manner with a touch of mineral, pepper and candied orange rind that hints at the nice balancing acidity. This red was aged just 4 months in well used barrels to refine the tannins, but allow the wine to as transparent as possible and retain it’s sense of place.
($18 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive