Viña Sastre 2006 Pesus (Ribera del Duero); $750.
If there’s any such thing as the perfect Spanish red, Pesus is it. A blend of 80% Tempranillo with other grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine sees 200% new oak, resulting in a thick, dark, tannic beauty that bubbles over with toast, cola, mint, chocolate and spice aromas. The mouth is sheer heaven; a mile deep in terms of berry flavor and more, but faultless and smooth. Shows outstanding structure and power, and should age well for 15-20 years. Hails from two 100-year-old vineyards and some baby vines with but 25 years of age. Crazy expensive but only 150 cases were made; drink 2013-2030. Score: 100 points. -M.S. (Wine Enthusiast 2010 Advanced Buying Guide, Oct 2010)
Viña Sastre 2005 Regina Vides (Ribera del Duero); $195.
From vines that are between 80 and 100 years, this is a marvelous example of top-notch Spanish red wine, regardless of region and grape variety. Hails from four vineyards, and the product is dark, concentrated, sultry, masculine and impressive. Giant black fruit flavors, texture, richness, coffee and cola make it truly special. Drinkable now; best in 3-5 more years. Score: 98 points. -M.S. (Wine Enthusiast 2010 Advanced Buying Guide, Oct 2010)
Viña Sastre 1999 Pago de Santa Cruz Gran Reserva (Ribera del Duero); $119.
A classic wine with maturity but still a lot to give. Aged 24 months in American oak then 12 more months in French barrels, this GR is leathery and powerful, with firm tannins
supporting dry berry fruit flavors accented by copious amounts of tobacco, mint, vanilla and more. Will continue to age and soften; drink now through 2025. Score: 96 points. -M.S. (Wine Enthusiast 2010 Advanced Buying Guide, Oct 2010)
Viña Sastre 2006 Pago de Santa Cruz Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero); $84.
A unique style of old-vines, singlevineyard Ribera aged 100% in new American oak, thus it delivers telltale aromas of fennel, dill, vanilla and licorice/anisette. Aged 18 months in barrel so it’s oaky, but it’s also dark, loaded with black fruit and spice, and chocolaty. Nuances include cola and the perfect raisin. A lovely wine that hits the spot. Best 2012-2020. Score: 94 points. -M.S. (Wine Enthusiast 2010 Advanced Buying Guide, Oct 2010)
Viña Sastre 2007 Crianza Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero); $33.
Kicks off with a blend of herbs, wild flowers, lavender and toasty oak. It’s a fresh, clean, semi-rich RDD with beautiful berry fruit, chocolate and a slight bit of char. An exciting wine with delicious core flavors and no toughness, hard tannins or heat. A bit dark and bitter on the finish, like a good espresso. Drink now-2014. Score: 91 points. -M.S. (Wine Enthusiast 2010 Advanced Buying Guide, Oct 2010)
Viña Sastre 2008 Roble Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero); $20.
Opens with young, punchy aromas of candied raspberry and strawberry. The body is easygoing but the flavors and overall character are more complex than you might expect because Sastre only made this wine and a crianza in ’08 while eschewing its high-end wines. With this youngster expect moderate size and intensity, and a full, semi-long finish. Score: 88 points. -M.S. (Wine Enthusiast 2010 Advanced Buying Guide, Oct 2010)
90 Points
2005 Viña Sastre Roble
Ribera del Duero
$19
Sastre does not make mass-market, inexpensive wines; this is hte base-level offering. And it's a delicious, moderately complex Ribera that is fat and fruity but also exotic and a touch beguiling. It will make an excellent accompaniment to basic grilled meats; drink now or though 2008. 1,600 cases prodiced. -M.S. (6/1/2007)
95 Points
1999 Regina Vides
Ribera del Duero
$175
Cellar Selection
Wow. Made from a small parcel of 80-plus-year-old Tempranillo vines, the resulting wine is packed with dense, smoky aromas wrapped around a core of brandied fruitcake. Huge, mouthfilling flavors of blackberries and roasted meat develop in the glass, all framed by wonderfully supple tannins. (April 2003)
94 Points
1999 Viña Sastre Pesus
Ribera del Duero
$375
Old-vine Tempranillo is cut by about 15% younger-vine Cabernet and Merlot in this rich, chewy red. It's smokier and more herbal than its all-Tempranillo stablemate, the Regina Vides, yet still boasts enormous blackberry and black cherry fruit cushioned by plush tannins. (April 2003)
93 Points
1998 Regina Vides
Ribera del Duero
$175
A bit toastier and more floral than the bruising 1999, but stilla rich, silky wine. Roasted meats, blackberry and tobacco give true Tempranillo flavor, finishing with hints of licorice. Like the other wines from Sastre, the tannins are plentiful but wonderfully ripe and supple. (April 2003)
92 Points
1999 Viña Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz
Ribera del Duero
$85
A single-vineyard wine made from the fruit of 65-year-old Tempranillo vines, it spends 18 months in new French oak, yet because of the fruit concentration the wood doesn't seem overdone. Starts off with hints of clove and coffee, then develops blackberry and black cherry fruit wrapped in a cocoon of dried spices. (April 2003)
89 Points
1999 Viña Sastre Crianza
Ribera del Duero
$25
Toasty, with cinnamon and dried spice aromas. Blackberry and plum fruit comes through on the palate, accented by coffee and big tannins. This wine will hold up well for a few years. - C.S. (11/01/02)
88 Points
2000 Viña Sastre Roble
Ribera del Duero
$14
Best Buy
Extended maceration helps make this wine rich, plump and juicy with aromas of bacon, cedar and blackberry. Tannins are soft and the acidity crisp, with coffee and plum flavors. A good drinking red for the money. - CS (11/01/02)
86 Points
1995 Vina Sastre 1995 Reserva
Ribera del Duero
$55
Has complex nutty aromas of roasted cashews; also blends in some caramel and toast. Smoky vanilla-soaked nuts counter tart lemony acidity in the mouth. Seems to be losing fruit, but doing so slowly and gracefully. - J.C. (10/01/01)
From The Wine Spectator
95 Points
Viña Sastre Pesus 2003
Ribera del Duero
$395 This lush red is like pie a la mode, sweet with ripe blackberry and huckleberry fruit and vanilla oak flavors. It’s mouthfilling yet not aggressive, and there’s enough acidity to keep it lively. An oaky, modern style, ripe and heady, but rich and deep. Drink now through 2015. –T.M. (Insider Vol.2, No.2)
From Wine & Spirits Magazine
91 Points
Viña Sastre Reserva 2000
Ribera del Duero
$40
From a selection of old vines Viña Sastre owns around La Horra, to the north of Ribera del Duero, this has the charm of a cooler vintage, its crisp acidity brightening its juicy yet profound dry cherry and blueberry flavors. Open it for roast venison in a fruit sauce. (June 2006)
90 Points
Viña Sastre Crianza 2002
Ribera del Duero
$18
Supringly rich and expansive for a 2002, this opulent red offers black fruit and sweet spice in a corpulent mass of tannins. If you like massive wines, decant it for aged Manchego, or save it for two or three years. (June 2006)
90 Points
Viña Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz 2001
Ribera del Duero
$65
Behind the curtain of coconut and vanilla aromas, this has rich, ripe, dense fruit supported by round, fat tannins. It's generous and expansive, to decant for lamb or to save for five years. (June 2006)
100 Wineries of the Year (2003)
Viña Sastre
Viña Sastre suffered a terrible blow this past December, when cofounder Pedro Sastre died in a car accident, but Jesus and wife Isabel have bravely chosen to carry on. The bodega came into being when Pedro, Jesus and their father Rafael decided to stop selling off the fruit from their 47 acres of old-vines Ribera vineyard in 1992 and bottle it themselves. Since then, the Sastres have kept the bodega's growth slow and deliberate, while the wines have received abundant acclaim.
The Sastre wines are entirely estate grown, from vineyards in the Burgos region, particularly the municipalities of La Horra and Roa. These are clay, limestone, and sandy-clay soils, farmed by the Sastre family without insecticides or herbicides, and with organic composts. At the same time, their wine-making keeps to the modern edge, with temperature-controlled fermentations, hand-selection of grapes and the occasional micro-oxygenation.
The results, particularly from their old vines, are some of the finest in the region. The '99 Pago de Santa Cruz, from a superb vintage and 64-year-old vines, has scents of cinnamon and chocolate, resolving into layers of deep black fruit, luxurious but bolstered by gripping tannins. The impressive ... '99 Pesus comes from 82-year-old vines: It's black as coal, massive, full of crushed berry flavor, and, for the moment, sealed up under a layer of oak. The third of the triumvirate, the '98 Regina Vides, has sweeter, more black cherry fruit; a bit more unsettled, it needs a year or two to achieve balance.
The Sastre's organic viticultural practices mix with modern-style vinification to produce wines that look to the future while still suggesting Spain's wine-making heritage. If you're interested in seeing where Ribera del Duero is headed, Viña Sastre is a good place to start. -R.I. (Winter 2003)
93 Points Viña Sastre 1999 Pago de Santa Cruz Ribera del Duero $70 100 Best Wines Sastre's tiny Santa Cruz vineyard, with its 64-year-old tempranillo vines, grew a great Ribera 1999. From the cappuccino aromas, dusted with cinnamon and chocolate to the generous layers of ripe black fruit, this is a heady combination of size and grace. Like a great boxer, the movement is so fluid you don't realize the punch is coming. And there is a punch: coating tannins, decadent blackberry and black cherry flavors, lush texture, and a rolling wave of a finish. An ambitious, impressive wine, not least because despite all that power it's perfectly drinkable now. RI (Winter 2003)
From The Wine Advocate
94 points
2006 Hermanos Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
WA, #195, Jun 2011 - Jay Miller
The 2006 Pago de Santa Cruz is sourced from a single vineyard with 65+-year-old vines. It spent 34 months in seasoned French and American oak before bottling without fining or filtration. Dense purple in color, it sports a splendid nose of Asian spices, incense, tapenade, licorice, lavender, and blackberry. In the glass it reveals a plush texture with enough underlying structure to evolve for 5-6 years. Dense, incipiently complex, and lengthy, it will benefit from additional cellaring and will offer a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2026+.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration.
93 points
2006 Hermanos Sastre Regina Vides
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
WA, #195, Jun 2011 - Jay Miller
The 2006 Regina Vides was sourced from 82-year-old vines, fermented naturally, and aged in 100% new French oak. Aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, exotic spices, herbs, licorice, and blackberry compose the bouquet of this sweetly-fruited, large-scaled, nicely proportioned behemoth. Give it 8-10 years of additional cellaring and enjoy it from 2019 to 2031+.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration.
91 points
2008 Hermanos Sastre Crianza
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
WA, #195, Jun 2011 - Jay Miller
The 2008 Crianza spent 18 months in new French oak before bottling without filtration. This strikingly perfumed effort displays layered fruit, savory flavors, and outstanding density. It has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years and will deliver optimum drinking from 2013 to 2020.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration.
90 points
2009 Hermanos Sastre Tinto
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
WA, #195, Jun 2011 - Jay Miller
The red wines (all made from 100% Tempranillo) begin with the 2009 Tinto, a product of the great 2009 vintage in Ribera del Duero. Fragrant aromas of spice box, lavender, espresso, black cherry, and blackberry are followed by a sweetly-fruited, dense, lengthy red that may evolve for 1-2 years and will drink well for another 5. It is an outstanding value.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration.
89 points
2009 Hermanos Sastre Flavus
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
WA, #195, Jun 2011 - Jay Miller
The current offerings include one white wine, the 2009 Flavus made from 100% Jaen (more commonly known as Palomino). It was sourced from 70-year-old vines, fermented with native yeasts, and raised in stainless steel. Lemon, creme brulee, mineral and floral notes inform the nose of this smooth-textured, spicy, nicely proportioned white. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration.
2006 Hermanos Sastre [Viña Sastre] Pesus
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
$750
The flagship 2006 Pesus comes from a small parcel of 82-year-old Tempranillo vines blended with a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. After fermentation in a special stainless steel tank, the wine was transferred into new French oak. It was racked further into new oak three times and aged for a total of 24 months in barrel. Purple/black in color, it emits an aromatic array of sandalwood, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, truffle, tar, licorice, black cherry, and blackberry. Dense, rich, loaded, and long, it will continue unwinding for a decade and offer a drinking window extending from 2017 to 2036, probably longer.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration. Score 98 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
2005 Hermanos Sastre [Viña Sastre] Regina Vides
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
$235
The 2005 Regina Vides spent 24 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it reveals a brooding bouquet of mineral, espresso, scorched earth, incense, lavender, Asian spices, and blackberry. Packed, stacked, and buxom, this dense, super-rich, savory offering is still a bit tightly wound and will continue to unfold for another 10 years. It will be at its best from 2015 to 2030.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration. Score 95 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
2005 Hermanos Sastre [Viña Sastre] Pago de Santa Cruz
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
$80
The 2005 Pago Santa Cruz is sourced from a single 65-year-old vineyard of the same name and aged in French and American oak for 34 months. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it proffers aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, scorched earth, incense, violets, black cherry, and blackberry. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, it is plush, bordering on Reubenesque, with loads of savory, spicy black fruit, enough structure to continue blossoming for another 5-7 years, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink this back-strapping wine from 2015 to 2030.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration. Score 94+ -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
1999 Hermanos Sastre [Viña Sastre] Pago de Santa Cruz Gran Reserva
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
$119
Made only in top vintages, the 1999 Pago Santa Cruz Gran Reserva was aged in seasoned oak for 34 months. It sports aromas of tar, licorice, lavender, Asian spices, and blackberry that lead to a structured, full-bodied, layered wine. With savory flavors, excellent volume and grip, and a lengthy, pure finish, it merits another 5-7 years of cellaring to optimally express itself.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration. Score 93 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
2006 Hermanos Sastre [Viña Sastre] Crianza
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
$27
The 2006 Crianza was aged in new French oak for 18 months. It displays a bouquet of smoke, cigar box, espresso, lavender, and blackberry. Structured on the palate with good depth of flavor and excellent volume, it will evolve for 2-3 years and deliver prime drinking from 2012 to 2019.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration. Score: 89 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
2008 Hermanos Sastre [Viña Sastre] Tinto
Ribera Del Duero, Castilla Leon, Spain
$20
The 2008 Tinto is 100% Tempranillo (as are all but one of these wines) aged for 7 months in American oak. It offers up aromas of cedar, spice box, pencil lead, violets, and blackberry leading to a ripe, sweetly-fruited, savory offering meant for drinking over the next 5 years. It is an excellent value.
Vina Sastre is a benchmark estate in Ribera del Duero. It is committed to organic farming and biodynamic principles with the wines naturally made and bottled without fining or filtration. Score 88 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
90 Points
Viña Sastre
2007 Roble
Ribera del Duero
$22
Viña Sastre is one of the quality leaders in Ribera del Duero. Their vineyards are organically farmed with biodynamic principles and their wines are never fined or filtered. The entry level 2007 Roble is 100% Tempranillo aged for seven months in seasoned American oak. Purple-colored, it offers up an intriguing nose of fungus/mushroom, cedar, espresso, and blackberry. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with concentrated, spicy black fruit flavors, excellent depth, enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years, and a pure finish. It is an excellent introduction to the wines of the Ribera del Duero DO. -J.M (Wine Advocate, March 2009)
98 points
2003 Hermanos Sastre Pesus
Hermanos Sastre
Ribera Del Duero
$500.00
The 2003 Pesus comes from a small parcel of 82-year-old Tempranillo with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot as part of the field blend. Yields were a microscopic 7-9 hectoliters per hectare. After fermentation in a special stainless steel tank, the wine was transferred into new French oak. It was racked further into new oak three times and aged for a total of 24 months in the oak. This 100-case cuvee is surely one of Spain’s greatest wines. Nearly black in color, with enticing aromas of black cherries, cassis, spice, and licorice, on the palate there is amazing concentration, full body, and layer upon layer of fruit. The tannins are nearly covered as this wine is virtually seamless. Give it 4-6 years of additional cellaring and drink it for the following 20 years. –J.M. (#169, 2-28-07)
88 points
2003 Hermanos Sastre Crianza
Hermanos Sastre
Ribera Del Duero
$30.00
The “value” in Viña Sastre’s lineup is the 2003 Crianza, a 100% Tempranillo cuvee aged 18 months in new French oak and bottled unfiltered. It is purple in color with plenty of toasty oak and spicy black fruit aromas. The winery was able to handle 2003’s extreme heat without difficulty reflected in the depth and layering of fruit, ripe tannins, and excellent length. It should improve for 2-4 years and drink well for another 5-7 years. –J.M. (#169, 2-28-07)
91 points
2001 Hermanos Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz Gran Reserva
Hermanos Sastre
Ribera Del Duero
$65.00
The 2001 Pago de Santa Cruz Gran Reserva, from a superb vintage, is a single vineyard 100% Tempranillo cuvee with the vines over 65 years of age. It was aged 34 month in French and American oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It is deep purple in color with lots of toasty oak in evidence. Cassis, black currants, herbs, and licorice flavors form the wine’s personality. It is very rich and layered with a long, pure finish. Give it 4-6 years to further develop and drink it over the following decade. –J.M. (#169, 2-28-07)
94 points
2001 Hermanos Sastre Regina Vides
Hermanos Sastre
Ribera Del Duero
$175.00
The 2001 Regina Vides, also 100% Tempranillo, comes from 80-year-old vines and was aged 20 months in French oak. More open than when shown to Robert Parker one year ago, this dense, hugely structured behemoth still requires another 6-8 years of cellaring to allow the fruit, which is there in abundance, to blossom. –J.M. (#169, 2-28-07)
98 Points
Vina Sastre
2001 Pesus
Ribera del Duero
$395
This was an impressive barrel sample when tasted last year, and the bottled wine has turned out to be even better. The flagship offering here is the 2001 Pesus, a limited, 100-case blend of 80% Tempranillo (80-100-year old vines) and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. This fabulous offering is one of Spain's greatest wines. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by sumptuous aromas of black cherries, cassis, dried herbs, licorice, and smoke. With enormous concentration, a seamless personality, huge body, sensational concentration, and wonderful overall balance and purity, it needs 1-2 more years of bottle age, and should evolve for 12-15 years or more. -R.P. (#159)
93+ Points Vina Sastre 2001 Regina Vides Ribera del Duero $175 This was an impressive barrel sample when tasted last year, and the bottled wine has turned out to be even better. The 2001 Regina Vides is a knock-out effort. Made from 80-year old Tempranillo vines, and aged in French oak, it has completely shut down, displaying a Bordeaux-like style in its backwardness and tannic structure. However, it reveals impressive depth, richness, texture, purity, and structure. Give it 1-3 more years of bottle age, and drink it over the following 12-15. -R.P. (#159)
91+ Points Vina Sastre 2001 Pago de Santa Cruz Ribera del Duero $65 This was an impressive barrel sample when tasted last year, and the bottled wine has turned out to be even better. The gorgeous 2001 Pago de Santa Cruz (100% old vine Tempranillo) boasts a dense ruby/purple color and copious quantities of spicy oak as well as impressive depth, texture, and persistence. This tightly-knit Tempranillo requires 1-2 more years of bottle age, and should evolve beautifully for 10-12+ years. -R.P. (#159)
88 Points Vina Sastre 2002 Crianza Ribera del Duero $30 This was an impressive barrel sample when tasted last year, and the bottled wine has turned out to be even better. The dense ruby/purple-hued 2002 Crianza (there will be no single-vineyard bottlings in this vintage) exhibits a smoky, earthy, oaky nose, plenty of extract and richness, but a slightly monolithic character. It is a very good to excellent wine that I would opt for drinking over the next 4-5 years. -R.P. (#159)
(90-92) Points Hermanos Sastre 2001 Crianza Ribera Del Duero $30 A barrel sample of the 2001 Crianza looks outstanding. A powerful, dense, ruby/purple-colored wine, it exhibits notes of melted licorice, black currants, blackberries, and tar. Medium to full-bodied and opulent, with a gorgeous texture, it should drink well for 8-10 years. -R.P. (#152, 4-26-04)
(93-95+) Points Hermanos Sastre 2001 Pesus Ribera Del Duero $395 There are 100 cases of the 2001 Pesus, a blend of old vine Tempranillo and small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot fashioned from a meager 7-9 hectoliters per hectare. It spend 24 months in new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. While one could argue it is over-priced, it is a beautiful wine, and, with the temperature seal, a revolutionary bottle at that. Deep, full-bodied, and rich, it offers notes of black currants, flowers, spicey sweet oak, and a hint of graphite in a beautifully textured, pure format. -R.P. (#152, 4-26-04)
(91-93+) Points Hermanos Sastre 2001 Regina Vides Ribera Del Duero $175 The 2001 Regina Vides is a 100% Tempranillo (82-year old vines) aged 24 months in new French oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Its dense purple color is followed by a big, sweet nose of aracia flowers, black currants, licorice, earth and spice. The aromas are reminiscent of a top-class classified growth from Bordeaux's Margaux appellation. Medium to full-bodied, layered, pure, and dense, this 1,000-case cuvée should drink well for 12-14 years.
90 Points Hermanos Sastre 2000 Reserva Ribera Del Duero $50 Interestingly, the 2000 Reserva did not seem as powerful as the 2001 Crianza, probably because 2001 is a better vintage. Nevertheless, the 2000 Reserva is a heady, ripe effort revealing open-knit fruit, and an elegant, medium-bodied style, but neither the power nor density exhibited by the 2001 Crianza. Drink the 2000 Reserva over the next 5-6 years as the vintage appears to be on a fast evolutionary track for Ribera Del Duero. -R.P. (#152, 4-26-04)
87 Points Hermanos Sastre 2002 Roble Ribera Del Duero $15 The least expensive offering, and a good value is the 2002 Roble, a 100% Tempranillo cuvée aged nine months in both French and American oak. Fruity and elegant, it offers up aromas of cherries, earth, asphalt, and a hint of spice box. Drink this delicious, round Spanish red over the next 2-3 years. -R.P. (#152, 4-26-04)
86 Points Hermanos Sastre 1997 Crianza Ribero Del Duero $30 Sastre's two Crianzas were both produced from 100% Tempranillo. A good effort with a troublesome vintage, the dark plum-colored 1997 Crianza exhibits earth, cedar, spice box, and black cherry aromas as well as flavors. While not complex, it is soft, round and best consumed over the next 2-3 years. Cut from the same mold, the 1998 Crianza displays a deeper color in addition to sweeter, riper fruit. Both wines are medium-bodied and made in an elegant style. -R.P. (8/31/01)
85 Points Hermanos Sastre 1998 Crianza Ribero Del Duero $30 Sastre's two Crianzas were both produced from 100% Tempranillo. A good effort with a troublesome vintage, the dark plum-colored 1997 Crianza exhibits earth, cedar, spice box, and black cherry aromas as well as flavors. While not complex, it is soft, round and best consumed over the next 2-3 years. Cut from the same mold, the 1998 Crianza displays a deeper color in addition to sweeter, riper fruit. Both wines are medium-bodied and made in an elegant style. -R.P. (8/31/01)
(92-94) Points Hermanos Sastre 1999 Pago De Santa Cruz Ribero Del Duero This estate's flagship wine, Pago de Santa Cruz, is made in limited quantities and very little will be exported to the United States. It is made from 100% destemmed Tempranillo, aged 24 months in new American oak, moved to 100% French oak for an additional 12 months, and bottled unfiltered. The four vintages tasted were all extremely concentrated, dense wines with a quality not dissimilar from the super-extracted, rich, full-bodied blockbusters of Peter Sisseck's Pingus. All three were seamless, opulent, and concentrated efforts offering notes of chocolate, coffee, blackberry liqueur, and sweet cassis fruit. These wines' smoky richness and broad, expansive thickness are sure to provoke excitement, assuming readers can find any of the 400+ cases produced. The 1994 is close to full maturity, but will last for another decade. While the 1996 is the most narrowly focused effort, it will last for 15+ years. The 1999 is the most spectacular, and the least impressive of this quartet is the excellent 1995. According to the importer, yields from 60-year old Tempranillo vines average 20-25 hectoliters per hectare. -R.P. (8/31/01)
90+ Points Hermanos Sastre 1996 Pago De Santa Cruz Ribero Del Duero $175 This estate's flagship wine, Pago de Santa Cruz, is made in limited quantities and very little will be exported to the United States. It is made from 100% destemmed Tempranillo, aged 24 months in new American oak, moved to 100% French oak for an additional 12 months, and bottled unfiltered. The four vintages tasted were all extremely concentrated, dense wines with a quality not dissimilar from the super-extracted, rich, full-bodied blockbusters of Peter Sisseck's Pingus. All three were seamless, opulent, and concentrated efforts offering notes of chocolate, coffee, blackberry liqueur, and sweet cassis fruit. These wines' smoky richness and broad, expansive thickness are sure to provoke excitement, assuming readers can find any of the 400+ cases produced. The 1994 is close to full maturity, but will last for another decade. While the 1996 is the most narrowly focused effort, it will last for 15+ years. The 1999 is the most spectacular, and the least impressive of this quartet is the excellent 1995. According to the importer, yields from 60-year old Tempranillo vines average 20-25 hectoliters per hectare. -R.P. (8/31/01)
89 Points Hermanos Sastre 1995 Pago De Santa Cruz Ribero Del Duero $175 This estate's flagship wine, Pago de Santa Cruz, is made in limited quantities and very little will be exported to the United States. It is made from 100% destemmed Tempranillo, aged 24 months in new American oak, moved to 100% French oak for an additional 12 months, and bottled unfiltered. The four vintages tasted were all extremely concentrated, dense wines with a quality not dissimilar from the super-extracted, rich, full-bodied blockbusters of Peter Sisseck's Pingus. All three were seamless, opulent, and concentrated efforts offering notes of chocolate, coffee, blackberry liqueur, and sweet cassis fruit. These wines' smoky richness and broad, expansive thickness are sure to provoke excitement, assuming readers can find any of the 400+ cases produced. The 1994 is close to full maturity, but will last for another decade. While the 1996 is the most narrowly focused effort, it will last for 15+ years. The 1999 is the most spectacular, and the least impressive of this quartet is the excellent 1995. According to the importer, yields from 60-year old Tempranillo vines average 20-25 hectoliters per hectare. -R.P. (8/31/01)
92 Points Hermanos Sastre 1994 Pago De Santa Cruz Ribero Del Duero $150 This estate's flagship wine, Pago de Santa Cruz, is made in limited quantities and very little will be exported to the United States. It is made from 100% destemmed Tempranillo, aged 24 months in new American oak, moved to 100% French oak for an additional 12 months, and bottled unfiltered. The four vintages tasted were all extremely concentrated, dense wines with a quality not dissimilar from the super-extracted, rich, full-bodied blockbusters of Peter Sisseck's Pingus. All three were seamless, opulent, and concentrated efforts offering notes of chocolate, coffee, blackberry liqueur, and sweet cassis fruit. These wines' smoky richness and broad, expansive thickness are sure to provoke excitement, assuming readers can find any of the 400+ cases produced. The 1994 is close to full maturity, but will last for another decade. While the 1996 is the most narrowly focused effort, it will last for 15+ years. The 1999 is the most spectacular, and the least impressive of this quartet is the excellent 1995. According to the importer, yields from 60-year old Tempranillo vines average 20-25 hectoliters per hectare. -R.P. (8/31/01)
92 Points Hermanos Sastre 1999 Regina Vides Ribero Del Duero $175 The 1999 Regina Vides spent 24 months in new French oak and, like its sibling, was bottled without fining or filtration. An opaque purple color is followed by gorgeous aromas of blackberry liqueur intermixed with cassis, graphite, leather, and earth. Medium to full-bodied and ripe, with its tannin largely obscured by rich extract, glycerin, and texture, this is an impressive albeit expensive offering. -R.P. (Feb. 2003)
92 Points Hermanos Sastre 1998 Regina Vides Ribero Del Duero
The other superb offering I tasted from Hermanos Sastre is the 1998 Regina Vides, a 100% Tempranillo produced from 80-year old vines with yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. It is an impressive, opaque purple-colored, full-bodied, opulently textured effort with abundant quantities of sweet, toasty oak, blackberry and cassis fruit, and a long, concentrated, powerful finish. It will drink well for 10-15 years -R.P. (8/31/01)
92 points
Vina Sastre
2008 Ribera Del Duero Crianza($33) International Wine Cellar, #158, Sept./Oct. - Josh Raynolds
(aged in 100% new French oak): Bright violet color. Aromas of red berry preserves, Asian spices and woodsmoke, with a sexy floral quality in the background. Juicy, penetrating red and dark berry flavors show excellent clarity and sneaky depth. Smooth, open-knit and fruit-driven, finishing with very good lift and persistence. There will be no Pago de Santa Cruz or Pesus bottled from the 2008 vintage so all the estate's best fruit wound up here.
91 points
Vina Sastre
2009 Ribera Del Duero Rosado($21) International Wine Cellar, #158, Sept./Oct. - Josh Raynolds
Bright purple. Highly aromatic bouquet displays cassis, boysenberry, anise and black cardamom, plus a hint of vanilla. Ripe, rich and supple, with a seamless texture and energetic flavors of dark berries, candied licorice and mocha. The long, seamless finish features an exotic floral quality and clings with impressive tenacity. This is drinking very well right now but really deserves some patience.
2007 Vina Sastre Tinto Ribera del Duero
89 Points
($20) Inky ruby. Fresh blackberry and cherry aromas are complicated by licorice, cocoa powder and fresh rose. Juicy, energetic dark berry flavors are framed by silky tannins and gain sweetness with air. This very fresh wine finishes with good clarity and lingering sweetness. - J.R.(International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2009)
2006 Vina Sastre Crianza Ribera del Duero
91 Points
($33) Vivid ruby. Heady aromas of red and dark berry preserves, potpourri and Asian spices, with a strong mineral undertone. Sweet raspberry and blueberry flavors stain the palate, and are given spine by zesty minerality. Quite juicy and penetrating, and vibrant and spicy on the back end. As sexy as this is right now, I'd bet on it gaining complexity with a few more years of bottle age. - J.R.(International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2009)
2005 Vina Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz Ribera del Duero
93 Points
($84) Opaque ruby. Pungent, spicy blackberry and cherry-vanilla on the nose, with sexy potpourri and smoky mineral elements gaining power with air. Deep, sweet dark fruit flavors coat the palate and are firmed by a zesty mineral quality. The floral and spice notes build on the finish, which delivers impressive punch and shows no rough edges. Already quite suave and complex. - J.R.(International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2009)
90 Points
2005 Crianza
Ribera del Duero
$36
Deep ruby color. Ripe cherry-vanilla, black raspberry and cola on the nose; a dark chocolate note arrives with air and carries onto the palate, adding depth to the ripe dark fruit flavors. The oak comes on strong on the finish but the sweet fruit keeps pace through a long, sappy finish. Traditionalists will like this sexy wine less than I did, but I suspect that the oak will be absorbed with a few years of patience. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
93 Points
2004 Regina Vides
Ribera del Duero
$234
Opaque ruby. Exotically perfumed nose displays sexy, oak-spiced red and dark berry liqueur, floral and smoky mineral scents. Lush and creamy black raspberry and blackcurrant flavors are given spine by juicy acidity and pick up suave vanilla and cola qualities on the back end. Finishes sweet and impressively long, strongly repeating the black raspberry and floral notes. This doesn't want to let go of the palate. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
95 Points
2005 Pesus
Ribera del Duero
$750; 85% tempranillo, with cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot
Inky ruby. A kaleidoscopic bouquet runs the gamut of red and dark berries, joined by cherry-vanilla, Asian spices, cola, high-test chocolate, floral oil and smoky minerality: this smells like the spawn of a florist shop and a head shop, if they met up at a fruit stand and got acquainted over Valrhona chocolate. Deep, sweet and pure, offering luscious black raspberry, cherry and candied licorice flavors, and picking up rose and violet pastille with air. Velvety tannins add gentle grip but are overwhelmed by the powerful fruit. The minerality adds lift and urgency to the endless finish, which leaves suave berry, mocha and spice notes behind, in due time. Wow! -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
89 Points
2006 Viña Sastre, Roble
Ribera del Duero
$19
Opaque ruby. Earthy cherry and cassis aromas are complicated by tobacco, menthol and mocha. Lush dark berry compote flavors are broad and sweet but reined in by zesty acidity and a bitter cherry pit quality. Finishes with concentrated, almost medicinal cherry flavor and good persistence. Drinking well now. - J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
90 Points
2004 Viña Sastre, Crianza
Ribera del Duero
$29
Inky purple. Ripe kirsch and plum aromas, with a strong vanillin oak quality. Dark fruit flavors verge on jammy but are given structure and chewiness by supple tannins. More energetic on the finish, which features bitter cherry and raspberry preserve flavors and excellent length. - J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
91 Points
2003 Viña Sastre, Pago de Santa Cruz
Ribera del Duero
$75
Deep ruby. Dark cherry, blueberry and plum compote aromas are complemented by cocoa, espresso, licorice and sweet vanilla. Deep, fleshy and sweet, with powerful dark fruit flavors and a smoky black cardamom quality. Solid tannins build on the broad, inky finish, which leaves a bitter cherry impression. Plenty ripe but not roasted; still, I'd err on the young side with this. - J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
95 Points
2004 Viña Sastre, Pesus
Ribera del Duero
$500
Glass-staining purple. A room-filling bouquet evokes Asian-spiced blackberry, mulberry and blueberry liqueur, with suave vanillin oak and mocha undertones. Deeply concentrated and energetic, with precise cherry/berry flavors and sweetness to burn. The tannins seem completely melted into the ripe fruit. Bright minerality on the close adds vivacity to this remarkably pure, sexy beast. - J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
88 Points
Viña Sastre
Crianza 2003
Ribera del Duero
$30
Medium red. Spicy, intensely floral aromas of zesty red berries and minerals. Firm, juicy and medium-bodied, the red fruit flavors showing good clarity and depth. Finishes with fine tannins, good grip and a persistent note of graphite. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2006)
91 Points
Viña Sastre
Reserva 2000
Ribera del Duero
$45
Light red. Wild, intensely floral, sweet nose features red berry and cherry tones complicated by a musky forest floor quality. Supple and velvety in texture, with deep, sweet red fruit flavors; gentle tannins and ripe acidity lend focus to this midweight. Finishes impressively sweet and long, with a building note of anise. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2006)
95 Points
Viña Sastre
Pesus 2003
Ribera del Duero
$495
Deep red. Explosively rich bouquet of blackcurrant, boysenberry, cherry liqueur, smoked meat and licorice. Deep, inky and brooding, the dark fruit flavors showing porty depth and richness but given lift and precision by a captivating mineral quality. The endless finish features silky tannins and compelling sweetness. A remarkable wine recommended to anyone who can find and afford it. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2006)
Hermanos Sastre
The Sastre brothers own 40 hectares of tempranillo, as well as some cabernet sauvignon and merlot they use to make a rosado. The estate's best wines, labeled Pago de Santa Cruz, come from a 12-hectare parcel of low-yielding 59-year-old vines, but most of the estate's other vines currently in production are now at least 35 years old. The wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks, and then taken off their skins quickly to avoid a bitter taste. "In the good years we get enough color without having to do further maceration," explained Pedro Sastre. The crianza spends 12 to 14 months in mostly American and some French oak and is filtered only prior to bottling. The Pago de Santa Cruz spends longer in oak. -International Wine Cellar
87 Points Hermanos Sastre Roble 2002 Ribera del Duero $17
Deep ruby-red. Crushed black fruits, espresso and tarry oak on the nose. Juicy, primary dark berry flavors are a bit youthfully clenched. Not especially complex but fresh and intense, with a firmly tannic finish. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
90 Points Hermanos Sastre Crianza 2001 Ribera del Duero $30
Good deep ruby-red. Cassis, black cherry and chocolatey oak on the nose. Dense and sweet, with expressive flavors of raspberry, licorice and woodsmoke, complicated by a decadent suggestion of hung game. Finishes with big, broad, lush tannins and notes of bitter chocolate and charred oak. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
93 Points Hermanos Sastre Pesus 2001 Ribera del Duero $375 The first wine I've tasted that was aged in 400% new oak, having been racked three times into new sets of barrels.
Saturated ruby-red. Deep aromas of black raspberry, dark chocolate and Christmas spices; yes, it's oaky. Then dense thick and exotic, with lush flavors of black raspberry, minerals, coffee and vanilla bean. Obviously sweetened by the oak, and yet this huge wine is also showing strong fruit. Finishes very oaky, with major, broad tannins that dust the front teeth. Undeniably impressive if unsubtle - and the bottle feels like a magnum. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
88(+?) Points Hermanos Sastre Reserva 2000 Ribera del Duero $50
Deep ruby-red. Musky, reduced aromas of crushed berries, leather and roasted oak. Tightly wound and reduced, with bitter chocolate and strong oak initially dominating. The berry fruit emerged with aeration, but this very oaky wine still is somewhat dried by the wood element. Lay this down for three to four years or give it a double decanting prior to serving it. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
92 Points Hermanos Sastre Regina Vides Ribera del Duero $175
Aromas of raspberry, cherry, meat, tobacco and nutty oak. Dense, rich and sweet, with lush flavors of roasted currant, tobacco, leather, flowers and meat, complemented by nutty oak. Finishes with rich, toothdusting tannins and lingering sweetness. Very concentrated, pure and suave. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
90(+?) Points Hermanos Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz 1999 Ribera del Duero $65
Ruby-red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, bitter chocolate and licorice, with bourbon and tar notes from new American oak barrels. The juicy, penetrating and powerful, with strong berry and chocolate flavors coasting the mouth. Finishes firmly tannic and quite fresh. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
94 Points Hermanos Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz Gran Reserva 1996 Ribera del Duero $175
Dark red. Captivating aromas of dried rose, dark chocolate and truffle. Silky on entry, then suave and perfumed in the middle palate, with subtle flavors of minerals and banking spices. Offers superb intensity without any excess weight. Rising finish features very fine tannins and superb persistence. Not a fleshy wine classy and highly complex. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
From The Washington Post
Viña Sastre Roble 2000 $13 Deep and impressively concentrated, this actually needs some time to unwind and show its stuff, which is surprising since the wine has only minimal oak influence. Rich and impressively dark, with chewy texture but fine, ripe tannin, this is delicious if given a good decanting. -M.F. (12/3/03)
From The San Francisco Chronicle
3 ½ out of 4 Stars
2005 Viña Sastre Crianza
Ribera del Duero
$36
Viña Sastre is in La Horra, a town located in the middle of Ribera del Duero. This wine - produced from 20- to 65-year-old vines - was aged for 18 months in new French oak. A lovely dark fruit nose shows kalamata olive, dried herb and sweet oak aromas. Fresh blackberry and buoyant cassis flavors are layered with a judicious amount of oak. –L.C.B. (SFC 10/31/08)
3 out of 4 Stars
1999 Viña Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz Gran Reserva
Ribera del Duero
$118
Pago de Santa Cruz is the winery's premier vineyard, which is planted at a 900-foot elevation with vines a minimum of 65 years old. This Reserva bottling was aged in oak for 30 months. Darker aromas reminiscent of teriyaki, smoky pimenton, black cherry and loam. Still vibrant and fresh for its age; integrated with straight-edged structure. –L.C.B. (SFC 10/31/08)
3 out of 4 Stars
2003 Viña Sastre Regina Vides
Ribera del Duero
$234
Co-founder and current owner-winemaker Jesus Sastre makes this wine from a single parcel of 80-year-old vines only during the best vintages. Being aged 24 months in new French oak contributes to the wine's more international style. Highly extracted, balanced and powerful, with juicy dark fruit backed with oak vanilla and spice on the palate. –L.C.B. (SFC 10/31/08)
