Las Claras Ribera del Duero 2011

Barrel fermented in in French oak and then aged six months in French oak barriques help meld all this seriously ripened fruit with spicy plum skins and fragrant with a fine knit texture and a vibrant acidity that puts this on a shortlist for a juicy appetizing candidate for paella. An invigorating wine and a bargain from Ribera del Duero and a classic example of Ribera del Duero stylistically –which with its hotter days and cooler nights preserves its acidity and ripens really prettily –so much brighter than many alternatives coming from Spain this day in age.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, February 2013

Expert Review

93 Wine Advocate
Another knock-out offering from a winery founded in 2010, with some vineyards dating back to 1900, the 2011 Las Claras was aged in French oak, most of it new, for eight months prior to bottling. This fabulous bargain over-delivers in every sense. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by abundant notes of lead pencil shavings, white chocolate, espresso roast and creme de cassis. This modern-styled Spanish, super-rich, intense red takes ripeness to the limit. Consume it over the next 7-8 years.
Wine review by Robert Parker, Jr.

Food Pairings

Very versatile. The better cuts of lamb. Most any meat braised or stewed. Game birds and poultry, especially duck.