Antidoto, Ribera del Duero

The name says it all: an antidote to the heavy, over-extracted Ribera del Dueros that became the regional norm. Old vine Tinto Fino from sandy soils at nearly 1000 metres, fermented simply and aged in large used French oak. Blackberry, ink, graphite, tobacco and a thread of clove and old vine spice, with a deft, vertical palate that feels more like poetry than power. Brilliant with Vietnamese pho bo or slow-braised Korean galbi jjim.