Get close to the ground. Imagine it's the only thing you can do in one hundred degree weather. Imagine you're a vine and the earth clings to you. You've been there for decades, some of your counterparts have been there for centuries. The earth and vines stay close together, the earth nurtures the vines, the vines respect the earth and hang low in symbiotic generosity. In this euphoria, under the harshest winters and hottest summers a wine region can provide, in Spain's Ribera del Duero a wine is produced that reminds one of the beautiful sensual nature of tree sap.
Tree sap, like fresh unfiltered molasses in which one tastes bark, the flesh of a tree. Young lamb is the local fare. More sheep wonder the hills in Ribera del Duero than in anywhere else in Spain. Eighty miles north of Madrid enormous castles from the 8th century line it's northern border at the Atlantic ocean, waiting in futility for the return of the Moors. In this arid and quiet region Spain's most eloquent and expensive wines are produced.
Case in point: Emilio Moro's Ribera Del Duero 2008
Case of flavors: sap/molasses, tree bark intro, refined jam of raspberry, sweet bark finish, held by structuring tannins. One does not have to chase after these flavors, they grip the palate.
Other notes: nose of thick strawberry licorice and smoky maple syrup. Deep, deep color. Medium to light body. A great pair to Italian food, tomato sauces, rich tapas, and of course, lamb.
Amen.
-The Reverend
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