Arrocal, Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León, Spain) 2010

If I had tasted this wine “blind,” I strongly suspect that I’d have guessed it to be a $75 bottle, and I wonder whether other reviewers have failed to give it the respect it deserves because it doesn’t cost more (or because it isn’t the winery’s top release; there’s also a “Maximo de Arrocal released in select vintages that can be sensational).  In any case, this is an exceptionally concentrated, deeply flavored, generously textured, downright delicious wine that is very open and expressive in both aroma and flavor.  Rich and ripe but also fresh and pure, it is a truly beautiful expression of Tempranillo, with the plush texture and open flavors that make excellent wines from Ribera del Duero the most immediately convincing of all renditions of this great grape variety.