Nicely aromatic, the La Planta offers spicy aromas joined with deep red and black fruits. The palate is both fruity (plummy) and savory, with dark chocolate flavors. There’s a dusty earthiness as well as light balsamic notes. Tannins are firm but supple. This is a good expression of Ribera del Duero at a great price. This medium-bodied (but powerful) wine is age-worthy. Open early to fully enjoy.

Florentino Arzuaga Navarra bought the La Planta estate in the early 1990s. The estate is large, with forests of pines, oaks, and Spanish cedars inhabited by deer and wild boars. It boasts a charming stone hotel and a fine dining restaurant. The first vintage of the La Planta bottling was 2001.

Estate fruit from 20-year-old vines is harvest and sorted manually. Grapes are destemmed, go through a two-day cold soak, and ferment in stainless steel at cool temperature (22-24°C) for a week. After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages six months in a combination of French and American oak.

Charcuterie, Cheese, Grilled preparations, Lamb, Mushrooms, Pizza, Pork, Red Meat, Roasted Root Vegetables, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce, Tapas, Tomato Sauce, Vegetables, Wild Game