PAGOS DE ANGUIX | Costalara | Ribera Del Duero | 2019
tempranillo
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Today we are going to review a single-varietal tempranillo wine from Spain‘s renown Ribera del Duero appellation – Costalara Ribera Del Duero 2019 by Pagos de Anguix. Tempranillo is a spanish grape variety that for a long time was ignored by the outside world as a slightly rustic grape of strictly local appeal. Nowadays, tempranillo is recognized as a noble grape variety that can make firm, bold and age-worthy wines. It is the main grape variety of red Rioja wines and is known under several aliases: tinto fino or tinto del país in the Ribera del Duero region, tinta de toro in the Toro region, cencibel and valdepeñas in Valdepeñas and Manchuela regions, ull de llebre and ojo de liebre in Catalonia and finally tinta roriz and aragonês in Portugal. When the right tempranillo clone is grown on the right spot of land, without excessive yields and with real care, it can produce incredibly age-worthy wines. In Ribera del Duero this grape variety is known as tinto fino and is vinified in a more modern, concentrated style, with a firm phenolic extract and an intense flavour profile. The grapes for this particular wine were sourced from vines planted on rocky and clay-rich soils at 800 meters altitude and, in order to soften the tannins and gain extra complexity, the wine has been aged for 12 months in french and american oak barrels, and another 24 months in the bottle. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:
//Visual
color: deep ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby shades on the rim
//Olfactory
intensity: nuanced & oaky
fruit character: ripe
The first impression on the nose offers a burst of ripe and vibrant fruit aromas, with a mix of red cherries and plums, along with hints of blackberries and dark cherries. Very nuanced, oak-derived notes of cloves, roasted wood and sun-dried oak delivers depth and complexity, while a touch of vanilla and baking spice adds a layer of sophistication to the wine’s aromatic profile. In the background, a hint of peppery spice emerges, mingling with subtle earthy undertones, reminiscent of sand, charcoal and pencil lead.
//Palate
sweetness: bone dry | acidity: medium+ | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: bitter-seedy
The palate mirrors the nose with an initial burst of ripe black fruit flavors, but quickly gives way to a slight bitterness and astringency. The oak influence comes across as slightly disjointed, and the fruit lacks the expected vibrancy. The tannins are aggressive and rather coarse, while the crisp acidity fails to provide enough lift, leaving the wine feeling a bit unbalanced. A prominent alcoholic warmth overshadows the other elements, further accentuated by a lingering bitter-seedy aftertaste. The mouthfeel is firm, bold, and muscular, but lacks finesse and suppleness.
//Verdict
maturity: developing | needs more time | drink in the next 3 or 4 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential
All in all, this is a quite bold and pungent wine, that in its current state lacks any form of finesse and the expected balance between fruit, acidity, and tannins. It might benefit from additional cellaring to soften those bitter-seedy tannins, but the structural issues and lack of fruit vibrancy make it a challenging prospect, as this is a quite bold and pungent wine that feels disjointed and unbalanced on the palate.
//Scoring
PAGOS DE ANGUIX | Costalara | Ribera Del Duero | 2019
variety: tempranillo
country: Spain
region: Ribera del Duero
rating: 92.9
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This is definitely a fine wine of Spain and, with a total of 92.9 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.
Pairing: Judging by the wine’s astringent tannins, nuanced alcohol warmth, and lack of mid-palate fruit, we would recommend to avoid rich or fatty foods that would exacerbate these characteristics. Consider pairing this wine with grilled sausages or italian burgers, made with bold cuts of meat, like lamb or bison. The smoky and savory flavors from the grill would stand up to the wine’s astringency, while the fattiness of the meat would help soften the seedy tannins. Additionally, avoid rich sauces or condiments, opting instead for something simple, like for example salsa verde, to complement those subtle spicy notes in the wine. Cheers!
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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.
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By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
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WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a monthly donation so that we can review even more wines.
WineStatistics is a non-profit community. We produce independent and highly detailed wine reviews.
By training ourselves to stop, take a breath, and pay attention to the subtle elements that distinguish one wine from any other, we learn an important lesson about life – that it’s worth taking the time to slow down and appreciate things that pleases us, from a glass of wine to a great work of art. It’s a simple way to learn to appreciate the little things in life that may in some small way enhance our enjoyment of every day.
In order to continue our work we need support from people like you. People who appreciate our contribution in spreading wine knowledge and raising wine awareness across the borders.
You may now support us by contributing with a yearly donation so that we can review even more wines.
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