2012 Flor de Silos, Cillar de Silos, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Virtually flawless, Flor de Silos comes from pre-phylloxera Tinto Fino vines, grown on sandy soils in the eastern part of the DO. The  wine exalts in all that is good about Ribera del Duero, namely an unabashed deep purple colour, ripe ripe fruit ( black cherry and damson are especially evident) and pure linear acidity, courtesy of the altitude of the  vineyard. Balsamic notes, spice, sousbois and licorice are all evidenced, underlining an inherent complexity which demonstrates very well why 2012 has a good reputation. The wine has been aged for eighteen months in French barrels.