(La Rioja Alta) Áster, Finca El Otero, 2016

Bodegas Áster is La Rioja Alta`s winery in Ribera del Duero located in the village of Anguix, Burgos. This is 100% Tinta del País (Tempranillo) from the estates single-vineyard `El Otero`, where vines have an average age of 80 years old; some of the oldest in the entire region. It is only made in the very best vintages and received a whopping 96 points by Tim Atkin MW... the same score he gave Dominio de Pingus, Flor de Pingus 2018!

Dark and brooding nose of blackberry and black plum with added mocha and freshly ground coffee undertones. Rich, ripe and round on the palate with silky tannins and impressive purity of further dark black fruits fused with liquorice and toasted oak spice on the marathon finish. Elegant and refined. One sip and it takes me back to my visit in 2016 before the harvest! Andrew Ray

Impressive, pure yet concentrated nose of ripe black fruits with added liquorice spice inviting you onto the palette. Wow - serious power and structure with further dark fruit core and plenty of spice with added charcoal, graphite and tobacco notes that are wonderfully balanced giving the wine freshness and a modern, slightly-creamy finish that goes around the block. James Goodhart

Finca El otero is the top wine from the La Rioja Alta-owned Aster. Made with grapes grown on clay and limestone soils in Anguix, it reflects the vivacity of an Atlantic year, with stylishly integrated new French oak, good structure and depth, mocha, plum, and blackberry fruit and a surprising freshness. 96/100 Points. Tim Atkin MW

A silky, polished red with blackberry and plum character. Flowers, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with creamy tannins and a pleasing finish. Nice structure to this. Another couple of years in bottle will mellow this. 93/100 points. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, November 2020

Brilliant violet. Powerful aromas of red and blue fruit liqueurs, exotic spices, mocha and smoky minerals, and a suave floral quality in the background. Fleshy and smooth in texture, showing fine clarity and spicy lift to the cassis, cherry, and black raspberry flavors. The blue fruit note returns on the very long, sweet, focused finish, which is framed by the well-knit tannins. Drink 2023-2031. 93/100 points. Josh Reynolds, vinous.com, November 2020