01 Bodegas Valsardo Reserva Superior & '02 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva

These two wines were actually a Spanish flight served at the same dinner with the Massolino Margheria and Cogno Vigna Elena.  

'01 Valsardo from Ribera del Duero is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  As with many blends from Ribera del Duero,  it is quite Bordeaux-ish in nature.  Lush black cherry, cassis and hints of graphite.  Voluptuous aromatics.  Drinking at its peak. Actually paired the best of any of the wines with the grilled lamb.  A hedonistic effort. 

'02 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva is one of our "go-to" house wines.  This is classic Rioja at its best, and always continues to amaze me in being such a delightful wine from a difficult vintage.  Lends credence to the adage that great winemakers make good wine regardless of the vintage conditions.  Beautifully mature red fruit with just the right amount of mouth-watering astringency on the palate... deft tannins and acidity in balance ... a bit of smoke and cedar.... 
Very interesting counterpoint to the Ribera del Duero which is more modern in style and much influenced by the Cabernet Sauvignon component.