Dear *|FNAME|*,

Top Tempranillo from Spain’s other great region, Ribera del Duero, often rivals Rioja. Everything in Ribera is intense. They have a Mediterranean climate with extreme continentality, meaning very cold winters and hot summers, and some of the highest altitudes in the northern hemisphere – often 800m+! ‘This exceptional climate gives Ribera’s wines a refreshing, mouthwatering acidity that provides the perfect balance to the ripe summer fruit,’ says Decanter.

Bodegas Àster, named after a Spanish flower that blooms at harvest, offers up two powerful and vivacious reds from the benchmark 2016 vintage – their top wine, 96-pointer (TA) Áster Finca El Otero 2016, and the spicy and supple Áster Crianza 2016. Both are 100% Tempranillo, known locally as Tinto del Pais or Tinto Fino.

In 1991, after much research, legendary La Rioja Alta S.A. planted 76 hectares in the Ribera del Duero region at an altitude of 780m-830m. The plot is in Anguix near Burgos, which Tim Atkin describes as ‘the home of most of the best wines’ in Ribera del Duero. The first Àster was bottled in 2000.

Reply to this email or visit our website to place your order online.

Vinous regards,

Tasting notes

Áster Finca El Otero 2016

'Finca El Otero is the top wine from the La Rioja Alta-owned Aster. Made with grapes grown on clay and limestone soils in Anguix, it reflects the vivacity of an Atlantic year, with stylishly integrated new French oak, good structure and depth, mocha, plum, and blackberry fruit and a surprising freshness.' – Tim Atkin MW, 96/100

'Brilliant violet. Powerful aromas of red and blue fruit liqueurs, exotic spices, mocha and smoky minerals, and a suave floral quality in the background. Fleshy and smooth in texture, showing fine clarity and spicy lift to the cassis, cherry and black raspberry flavors. The blue fruit note returns on the very long, sweet, focused finish, which is framed by well-knit tannins.' – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 93/100

Áster Crianza 2016

'Dark cherries, blueberries, dried herbs, smoke, cracked pepper and baking spices on the nose. Full-bodied with chewy tannins. Dark, chalky and smoky on the palate with a supple finish. Drink or hold.' – James Suckling, 92/100

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