2009 Bodegas A. Fernandez Tinto Pesquera

Alejandro Fernandez’s Tinto Pesquera never disappoints. Certainly not in 2009, with this stellar Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero. The vines are old, and the wine is so dark and inky you could paint with it. Pour it into the glass and the aromas of blackberries, dark plums, anise and earth jump out. It’s round and full-bodied in the mouth, as delicious as red wines from this part of the world get.

This is a bottle to bring to a dinner party or break out for a special occasion. Pair it with grilled quail, baby lamb chops or grilled sausages.

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Region: Ribera del Duero (Castilla y Leon)

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Price: $26 to $36

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Style: Rich and earthy

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What it goes with: Grilled quail, baby lamb chops or grilled sausages

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Where to find it: Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463, www.hitimewine.net; John and Pete’s Fine Wines & Spirits in West Hollywood, (310) 657-3080, www.johnandpetes.com; K&L; Wine Merchants in Hollywood, (323) 464-9463, www.klwines.com; Mission Wine & Spirits in Pasadena, (626) 794-7026, www.missionwineandspirits.com; Wally’s Wine & Spirits in West Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606, www.wallywine.com; Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454, www.winex.com; and Woodland Hills Wine Co. in Woodland Hills, (818) 222-1111, www.whwc.com.

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S. Irene Virbila