2012 Alonso del Yerro
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Deep crimson with more garnet rim. Lively aroma – spice, pepper and an attractive dusty quality overlaying savoury dark fruit, even a slight herbal leafiness which I did not expect and is perhaps a vintage character? This has power and length but also an unexpected cool freshness on the mid palate. Firm, very dry texture leaving your mouth feeling scrubbed but clean. Very interesting and more subtle than I remember from earlier vintages, the alcohol well integrated. So dry and textured on the finish and yet moreish. Real style here. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Crianza is a selection of Tempranillo grapes from their 22 hectares of vineyards in the Roa zone of Ribera del Duero, at some 800 meters altitude. The grapes fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and the wine matured in different containers (stainless steel, oak vats and barriques), for a varied time of between nine to 15 months. The nose is clean and quite fruit-driven (redcurrant), with some initial reduction, so decanting in advance is not a bad idea. The palate is medium-bodied, quite fluid, balanced and elegant, with a pleasant bitterness in the finish. The tannins are very fine, and the wine drinks nicely now, but should also develop more complexity in bottle. 50,000 bottles.