Urban Ribera Tinta del Pais 2007

Slowly, this ripe Ribera fills with pure red fruit and sweet spice. The texture is lush, with terse acidity to match aged Manchego. (Best Buy) Yearandrsquo;s Best Ribera del Duero.

The 2007 Urban Ribera is a strong candidate for the best new release Ribera del Duero under $25. Made from 100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo), the wine spent four months in French oak. Purple-colored, it offers up a fragrant bouquet of scorched earth, violets, and black cherry that leaps from the glass. Smooth-textured and suave on the palate, it has loads of succulent black fruit, silky tannins, excellent depth and grip, and a juicy finish. Drink this tasty effort over the next four years.

The 2004 Urban Ribera offers superb value. Made from 100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo), it was aged 4 months in French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it offers toasty blackberry aromas and flavors. Medium bodied, with a supple palate-feel, the wine is full-flavored, fleshy, and easy-to-drink. Its finish is long and pure. Drink it now and over the next 4 years.

Bright ruby color. Smoky strawberry, raspberry and floral aromas are fresh and fine. Juicy, tannin-free red berry flavors show a jammy character and no rough edges. This is all about fruit, finishing sweet and persistent.

[No tasting note was given.]

Like a delicious chunk of dark chocolate with mint filling, this red is sweet and generous, with enough chalky tannin to moderate its Portlike ripeness. A few years in the bottle will provide more complexity.