It's no secret that Tempranillo is the most widely planted red grape variety in Spain, thanks in large part to the centuries-old success of its native Rioja region. But in the southwest, in the provinces of Burgos, Valladolid, Segovia and Soria, Tempranillo has established a second stronghold: Ribera del Duero. The sunny, dry weather, stony clay-limestone soils and high altitude (with greater temperature differences between day and night) contribute to producing unparalleled expressions of Tempranillo (called Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais here). These wines are typically darker and bolder than their Rioja cousins, but the good ones shine with a distinctive freshness and crispness.

Given the ingredients, it's no surprise that many Rioja producers have gravitated to this neighbouring region over the years, and La Rioja Alta's historic Haro company is no exception. After years of searching for the ideal terroir, in 1993 they purchased the old land of Finca El Otero in Anguix, Burgos province, and began working on discovering the best way to capture the essence of these grapes. A century-old company is in no hurry when it comes to quality; Bodegas Aster was only founded in 2000.

Currently, Bodegas Aster produces three Ribera varieties: an excellent entry-level Crianza, said to offer a perfect blend of structure, fruit and oak yields; El Espino, a new cuvée chosen for its aromatic and fruit intensity; and Finca El Otero. The latter is harvested from the estate's oldest vines and offers a complete package, now considered one of the best individual cuvées produced in the Ribera appellation.