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Our second comparison of Ribera del Duero wines resulted in something very unusual: Our preference was for bottles having older vintages, in specific order. That is, our favorite bottle was easily the oldest vintage, followed in second place by one five years younger, then third place by one four years more recent. And so on. Our results from first to last place went from 2010, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, to 2022. We are too lazy to check on this, but we do not think that this result has ever happened before in the 20-plus years we've been hosting these.

The top three bottles were separated by very slim margins, and all bottles had something interesting to offer. The winner turned out to be the exact same bottle David won with the last time we compared these in April 2018, showing evolved color, excellent complexity, and lots of tertiary notes. Kristin's second place bottle was also the best value of the night, featuring both bright fruit and savory qualities for only $25.

Ali continued her lack of admiration for this appellation, finding them to be somewhat hot in the mouth and something she would not prefer compared to other Tempranillo-based bottles.

Photography by Andy.

First Place: Vizcarra JC Vizcarra 2010 (Ribera del Duero). Made from 100% Tempranillo, this was slightly more amber in color, with tasters finding scents of clean sheets, cookie dough, dark spices, wild forest berries, seaweed, dried orange peel, wet stones, and prunes. David noted that it still had a freshness to it, but Josephine detected "a flower past its prime", and Ali noted "something dark in a can." Intense and delicious in the mouth, this came off as very integrated, with excellent concentration. Flavors of plums, dark cherries, vanilla, prune juice, blackberries, and iodine. Structured. Coffee on the finish. Ali felt that it bordered on being too heavy, noting that it was like a "medicine wine because it feels coating." David's favorite of the night, with four other tasters giving it their second-place vote. 25 total points. David's bottle. About $27.

Second Place: Boada Crianza Campo de Bueyes 2015 (Ribera del Duero). Hint of amber color, followed by aromas of something fecal or diaper (these dissipated somewhat with air), plus notions of pine needles, rosemary, dried herbs, hazelnuts, forest floor, and coffee. Kristin was reminded of "summer roadkill." Brighter on the palate, with flavors of cranberries and blueberry preserves, then turning savory, with umami notes of soy and dark mushroom. Good presence on the mid-palate, but faded somewhat on the spikey finish. Andy, Kristin, and Josephine's favorite of the night, with a total of 23 points. Kristin's bottle. About $25.

Third Place: La Capilla Crianza 2019 (Ribera del Duero). Ruby red color. Some latex scents initially, then notions of chestnuts, mocha, red peony, wet earth, blackberry jam, wet bark, violets, pinecone, and forest after the rain. Mysterious. Andy was reminded of "wet stick." Balanced and harmonious palate, with a gamey attack (like venison), plus flavors of black pepper and blueberries. Long, spicy finish. 21 points. Josephine's bottle. About $28.

Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera Crianza 2020 (Ribera del Duero). Brighter in color. Smelled more youthful, with lots of fresh cherry fruit, plus licorice, lily, blackberries, and blueberries. Not super complex. More of that blueberry note on the palate, plus flavors of raspberries and oranges. Velvety mouthfeel and a peppy, youthful quality. Glue on the finish. Perhaps better on its own than with food, with Andy calling it a "sideline wine." 10 points. Andy's bottle. About $35.

Torres Celeste Crianza 2021 (Ribera del Duero). Purple hue. Tasters found scents of baby powder, lavender, juniper, black raspberries, and blackberries. Pretty. Juniper again on the palate, plus a meaty note, not unlike salami, then blueberries and blackberries. Nice balance, and comes off as more youthful. 4 points. Addy's bottle. About $25.

Antidoto 2022 (Ribera del Duero). Leans toward the blue spectrum, showing the vibrant color of blueberry sauce. Exuberant and young, with lots of primary fruit aromas like cherries and blueberries, but also eucalyptus, vanilla, and toasted coconut. Ali detected "cooked broccoli stalk", while Andy was reminded of "young stick". Vibrant palate, dominated by fresh fruit notes, with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Good acidity, and clearly tannic. Not a lot of nuances, but things feel like they're in the right place, with some thyme on the finish. Ali predicted that it will be great when it grows up. 1 point. Ali's bottle. About $25.