2003 Pago de Carraovejas Ribera del Duero Crianza
When it comes to summer reds, look to Ribera del Duero for ripe, juicy Tempranillo. Some are made for aging; others, such as this crianza from Pago de Carraovejas (which can be loosely translated as “the place where the sheep walk by”) are young and zesty, with smooth ripe tannins, bursting with bright fruit. You’ll find sweet spices, notes of coffee and vanilla in the glass too.
A blend of Tempranillo with 25% Cabernet, both grown on this hillside vineyard near the town of Penafiel, Spain, the 2003 crianza is a serious young Ribera with enough presence to go from a nice chunk of manchego cheese to the barbecue. It makes a suave escort for any kind of grilled chop, really, along with barbecued ribs, grilled duck breasts or roast birds. A great sirloin burger would be sweet too.
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Quick swirl
Region: Ribera del Duero
Price: About $32
Style: Ripe and juicy with smooth tannins and a lively acidity
Food it goes with: Manchego or other aged sheep’s milk cheese, grilled lamb chops, barbecued ribs, a sirloin burger.
Where you find it: East Beach Wine Company in Santa Barbara, (800) 656-9463; Flask Fine Wines in Studio City, (818) 761-5373; Mission Wines in South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463; Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454 and (800) 769-4639; and the Wine House in Los Angeles, (310)
479-3731.
-- S. Irene Virbila