2009 Alonso del Yerro Maria
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Expressive aromas of ripe dark berries, fresh flowers and peppery spices, with a hint of mocha in the background. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering juicy blackberry and spicecake flavors that spread out slowly on the back half. The spiciness continues on the gently tannic, persistent finish, which leaves a suave lavender pastille note behind. Aged in 25% new French oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Josh Raynolds
Jay S Miller, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Maria, tasted from a barrel sample, is more brooding than the Alonso, a bit denser, richer, and more structured. It is an exceptionally promising effort that displays the greatness of the 2009 vintage. (Not yet released) The current owners purchased this estate in 2002 and hired Stephane Derenoncourt of Bordeaux renown as consultant. The Alonso del Yerro cuvee, made from 100% Tempranillo, typically goes through ML in barrel followed by 12 months sur lie with batonnage in new French oak. The Maria cuvee (also 100% Tempranillo) is fermented in new oak vats, goes through a longer maceration than the Alonso bottling, and is aged in new French oak for 18 months sur lie with batonnage. As a side note, Vinedos Alonso del Yerro has started a new project in neighboring Toro called Paydos. I tasted barrel samples of the first two vintages, 2008 and 2009. They were both exceptional; the 2009, in particular, due to the virtually perfect vintage conditions in Toro. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767