Rios de Tinta, Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León, Spain) 2019

 Despite being relatively affordable, this wine seems to over-deliver in every vintage, displaying the purity and generosity that Ribera del Duero helps lend to Tempranillo more readily than any other Spanish appellation.  The sometimes piney, resinous oak influence that might have scared first-time tasters off from Spanish reds is nowhere in evidence here, as this is all about dark cherry and berry fruit with soft, layered palate feel and a finish that never turns either tart or hard no matter how long you concentrate on the aftertaste as the wine tails off.  For those who just love to sip on a glass of well-made red at the end of the day, this will do the trick, but it will also get along nicely with almost anything appropriate for medium-plus-bodied red at the table.