Ribera del Duero

Grandes Bodegas Marques de Velilla 2006

Here is a cheapy from Ribera del Douro.  I'm fairly sure that this wine has had a bit of carbonic maceration treatment (and has a bit of an ethyl mercaptan issue).  Its a fairly popular method for Joven wines, it brings out the softer, fruitier aspects of the wine.  But it can also has a downside in that it can also produce rather annoying burnt rubber and nutty smells, plus the wines don't really age that well. 

This wine is made from mostly Tempranillo with 10% Merlot.  Unfortunately, this bottle suffered quite badly from the smell of late night circle work that doesn't blow off.  It has a nice deep purple colour in the glass and under the burnt rubber it has some red fruit and plum on the nose.  Actually quite nice in the mouth, nice soft tannins and some red fruit with liquorice and spice.  This bottle is not quite right, I'll grab another at some point.  79 Pts.

Source: Toro/Woods wines Price: $22 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.marquesdevelilla.com