Vilano, Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León, Spain) 2016

 A blend of 75% Tinta Fina, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, this is intended as a more internationally-styled release than the bodega’s other releases.  It is aged for 18 months in French oak (medium toast).  There’s no doubt that the styling objective was achieved — this is indeed international rather than regionally typical, and though it tastes as though it might have come from anywhere, it would be a very good wine regardless of where it was grown and made.  Dark fruit notes predominate here, and the Cabernet component is much more evident than whatever the Merlot contributed, so I think most tasters would find that this tastes like quite good Ribera with a big dollop of Cab in the mix.  The oak is notable but well balanced, as the core of fruit has a lot of flavor impact to keep the wood notes off to the side.  Most winemakers in the region weren’t overly enthusiastic about the 2016 vintage, and with that as context, this is quite a fine performance.