WTN: 2001 Domain Atauta

[Jenise]

Bought this Ribera del Douro wine long ago after falling for a flyer from Sonoma's Rare Wine Company. Opened one maybe four years ago and found it way too gooped up for my tastes. With a dish the other night that wouldn't object to a little goopiness, I opened this bottle. Time has been kind: it has smoothed out and the primary vanilla pudding and blueberry pie I remember is gone, though the lavish oak treatment remains undeniable both on the nose and the palate. Dusty purple-mauve in color. The nose is complex with dried fig and a bit of cedar, while baked plum dominates the palate with some muted herb notes. Acid's good, and the tannins are noticeable. Drinks well now but for fans of mature wine, this should reward further cellaring.

I'll be in Ribera del Duero in a couple of weeks. Not sure which wineries will hit, but I've noted this one.

[Jenise]

I'll be in Ribera del Duero in a couple of weeks. Not sure which wineries will hit, but I've noted this one.

Not sure I'd reccomend this--it's a very modern, heavily-oaked treatment and there are a lot of RdD's I'd prefer. It's only saving grace is that now, at over ten years old, it's turned into something a lot better than I thought I had a right to hope for a few years ago. Look for the more traditional producers for the most interesting wines.

I'll be in Ribera del Duero in a couple of weeks. Not sure which wineries will hit, but I've noted this one.

Not sure I'd reccomend this--it's a very modern, heavily-oaked treatment and there are a lot of RdD's I'd prefer. It's only saving grace is that now, at over ten years old, it's turned into something a lot better than I thought I had a right to hope for a few years ago. Look for the more traditional producers for the most interesting wines.

Ha ha. I should have been clearer. When I said I had 'noted' it, I meant it was one I could bypass!