Aster Finca El Otero Tempranillo Ribera del Duero DO, Rioja Alta

Two appellations, one signature: Aster Finca El Otero combines the know-how of La Rioja Alta with the powerful terroir of the Ribera del Duero — Tempranillo on a barren high plateau, around 900 meters above sea level.

La Rioja Alta is one of the most traditional houses in Rioja, founded in 1890 in Haro. With the Aster winery, the house crossed the provincial border into the Ribera del Duero, where the Finca El Otero is managed as its own site. The Tempranillo — often called Tinto Fino here — ripens on calcareous-clay soils and benefits from the large day-night temperature fluctuations of the meseta.

In the glass, the wine glows in a rich ruby red. In the nose, it opens with blackberry, dark cherry and preserved fruits, which weave together with cinnamon and star anise. On the palate, it is substantial and remarkably smooth: ripe tannins, plenty of fruit fullness, a juicy, long finish without hard edges.

Serving recommendation: Served well at 16–18 °C. Goes well with leg of lamb with herb crust, Iberico roast pork or mature Manchego.