2011 Pesquera Crianza

Brilliant ruby. Fresh cherry, dark berries and vanilla on the highly perfumed nose, with a hint of woodsmoke building in the glass. Sappy and nicely focused, offering zesty bitter cherry and blackberry flavors underscored by a mineral element. Becomes fleshier and sweeter on the clinging finish, which features supple tannins and a touch of smoked meat.

The 2011 Crianza smells of tomato juice with some vegetal notes, fresh fruit and a hint of leather. The palate is medium-bodied, where it feels a bit thin and has some dusty tannins. Drink now-2015. There's nothing I'd like more than to see Pesquera back at the quality level of the early 1990s when they were the reference for Ribera del Duero. Importer: Classical Wines From Spain, Seattle, WA; tel. (206) 297-6713

Peanuts! Very odd. I wonder where that has come from. Well, if you want a wine that tastes like peanuts, this is for you. But it’s pretty tough and tannic otherwise. (RH)