In the glass
Aroma: cassis, dark cherry, crushed stone, cedar
Palate: concentrated black fruit, graphite, mineral, ultra-silky tannins
Maria is the prestige single-vineyard label from Alonso del Yerro: concentrated cassis, graphite and mineral precision from a single old-vine parcel at Quintanilla de Onesimo, aged 20 months in new French oak under Derenoncourt's guidance.
What it pairs with
-
Prime aged Castilian beef
The wine's concentration and fine tannins call for the fat and depth of properly aged beef. -
Roast venison with black cherry sauce
Cassis and graphite notes mirror the gamey venison and fruit-forward reduction. -
Black truffle tortilla
Graphite and mineral notes echo the truffle's earthy depth in the egg dish.
How to serve Maria
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Prime aged Castilian beef, Roast venison with black cherry sauce, Black truffle tortilla. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Maria is Alonso del Yerro's prestige single-vineyard label, named for a family member of the founding owners and produced from the estate's single finest old-vine parcel. Stephane Derenoncourt's influence is evident in the Bordeaux-influenced precision and structural elegance.
- 2007 — First Maria vintage from the estate's best single-vineyard parcel
Facts
- Producer
- Alonso del Yerro
- Grapes
- Tinto Fino
- Classification
- DO Ribera del Duero
- Oak
- 20 months in new French oak
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 60-90 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-22 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2007
Frequently asked about Maria
What does Maria taste like?
On the nose, cassis, dark cherry, crushed stone, cedar. On the palate, concentrated black fruit, graphite, mineral, ultra-silky tannins. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Maria is the prestige single-vineyard label from Alonso del Yerro: concentrated cassis, graphite and mineral precision from a single old-vine parcel at Quintanilla de Onesimo, aged 20 months in new French oak under Derenoncourt's guidance.
When should I drink Maria?
Drink 10-22 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Maria?
Prime aged Castilian beef is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roast venison with black cherry sauce and Black truffle tortilla. The wine's concentration and fine tannins call for the fat and depth of properly aged beef.
What grapes are in Maria?
The blend is Tinto Fino. The wine is classified as DO Ribera del Duero.