235. Alejandro Fernández, Ribera del Duero Condado de Haza, 1997

€??; 13%

A gift from Jim and Karen Jeffries to Mum and Dad, and ready to drink, so I twisted their arms to crack it – wanted to try Alejandro Fernandez’s 2^nd Ribera estate for a while and it showed well (in spite of me being into the early stages of a cold!). Mid-to-deep garnet core. Initially a little cool, so the intense nose focused on creamy vanilla and sharp red fruit, but soon broadened into some cocoa and toasty secondary complexity. Acidic structure around a solid medium body and distinctly smooth tannin. Cherry flavour with cocoa (or coconut??) finish. Pleasant drinking.