The Arzuaga Navarro estate has 150 hectares (370 acres) of vineyards. Some of the vines are trained along espaliers in the vineyards surrounding the winery and others thrive along the juniper, oak and Mediterranean pine landscape of the sprawling La Planta hunting reserve.

Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes, grown at La Planta Estate, this is an extraordinary young wine at a great price. The vines are grown under the stressed conditions of prime Ribera del Duero vineyards. After a short six month stint in new French and American oak, this fruity red is bottled. It has rich depth and surprising complexity; it is an ideal inexpensive introduction to the wines of Ribera del Duero and a tantalizing taste of just how good the ’05 vintage is shaping up to be in this region.

The nose carries lovely notes of black cherries, dusted cocoa, warm vanilla bean and a suggestion of oak. The palate boasts exquisite black cherry and plum flavors with hints of smoky minerality and a dark, milk chocolate-inflected finish. Serve this rich, fruity wine with roast pork tenderloin, pasta Bolognese, lamb chops or steak.

—Donald