The Bottom Line

Melior 2009 is a young Spanish red wine from the Ribera del Duero D.O., thoroughly enjoyable and drinkable now. Don't just take our word for it - It was named among the Top 100 Best Buys 2012 by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Melior is made from Tempranillo (95%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5%), and has been aged for 6 months in oak barrels.

About the Winery

Grupo Matarromera produces the Melior wine.


The company Bodega Matarromera was founded in 1988 in the heart of Ribera del Duero D.O. by winemaker and agricultural engineer, Carlos Moro. The original winery is built right into the hillsides of the Duero Valley, near Valbuena del Duero, Valladolid.

The company now has three wineries in that region: Matarromera, Emina and Rento, one in the D.O. Cigales, Valdelosfrailes, one in the D.O. Rueda, Emina Rueda and the latest in Toro, Bodega CYAN. They also have a rural hostel, Emina Cottage, and a restaurant, La Espadaña San Bernardo. In addition to operations in Spain, they are expanding their reach worldwide to China, Russia, Brazil and Eastern Europe.

According to their web site, Matarromera is a winery is "commited to the environment, sustainability, research and innovation," and have the awards to prove it. They have even developed and patented wine with 0% alcohol.

Summary

This Crianza wine is crafted from Tempranillo, easily paired with tonight's dinner. It has a:

• Dark Purple Plum, Brilliant Color

• Raspberry and Rip Strawberry Aroma
• Dominant Ripe Fruit Flavor
• Dry Finish

Detailed Description

When reviewing wines, we use a wine scale based on a 20-point scale originally developed at UC Davis, so that there is consistency to our reviews.

• Clarity: Brilliant, crystal bright
• Color: Typical for type and age
• Bouquet: Fruity, pronounced, developed
• Acidity: Balanced, appropriate
• Sweetness: Appropriate, balanced, normal
• Body: Smooth, even, pleasant
• Flavor: Fruity, layered, robust, rich
• Bitterness: Normal, balance, appropriate
• Finish: Tapering, nearly correct
• Quality: Charming, stylish, fine, graceful

The printable wine scale used in reviews, you can use at your next wine tasting:

• Wine Scale

Notes: We prefer to use the standard traits and adjectives, rather than displaying the points. We believe that this provides the reader with more useful information about the characteristics of the wine. However, there are times we believe the wine falls between the standard "rankings" of a particular trait. So, to best describe it, we choose the adjectives from two rankings. For example, if the bouquet is in between being "Fruity, Pronounced, Developed" and "Clean, Pleasant, Scented, Delicate," we choose the adjectives from each set, which we believe best describe the bouquet.

Price & Availability

• Price: Average Price in USA: $15. Prices range between $12 and $20 dollars per bottle.
• Imported to USA by: Matarromera USA, Inc. www.grupomatarromera.com
• Winery Web Site: Grupo Matarromera
• (English and Spanish Versions)

_{Disclosure: Review sample was provided. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.}

More About Ribera del Duero and Other Denominations of Origin

• Vinos de Castilla - Wines of Castilla, Rueda, Ribera del Duero, Toro, El Bierzo and Cigales
• Drink Ribera. Drink Spain., Ribera del Duero D.O. Site