Tasting Note                          

88+       2005  Epifanio  Erial  Ribera del Duero    6/27/08     ($18)

  14.5%alc
Color: Deep purple garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Cedar and creme de cocoa with cassis and blackberry preserves. Ripe fruit with high acidity. (3.0) Body: Buttery mouthfeel with some tannin, acidity and fruit that coats. Has excellent structure, but the fruit is a little restrained at present. Light heavyweight with a hint of alcohol. (2.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but tart acidity and some tannin rise above the fruit somewhat. (2.5) Finish: Parallels bouquet, but more full with length propelled by high acidity. (3.0)
Overall: This needs some time (2-5 years), but delivers excellent quality and potential for the price. It has ripe blackberry/cassis fruit combined with high acidity and interesting complexity in a New World meets Old World style. (14.0)