Sometimes the younger brother just has to try harder!  Take our own Frank Rothstein- the middle child of a passel of eleven kids!  He had to fight for every scrap at the Rothstein family dinner table.  And now look at him: A legend in the wine industry!  Or, better yet, take Federico Fernandez.  He calls the passion project he established with his family in the town of Pequera del Duero back in 1986 after his first name, because using his last would inevitably lead to comparisons being drawn with his larger-than-life big brother, Alejandro, the founder and owner of the Pesquera and Condado de Haza wineries, arguably the two properties that put Ribera del Duero, arguably Spain’s most famous wine region, on the map. Federico’s project, right in Alejandro’s backyard, is much, much smaller.  But, some might argue, it’s even better. At least that was our take when we tried Federico’s absolutely stunning 2023 Robles Tinto.  Made completely from grapes grown on the family estate, from the local variant of Tempranillo, this incredibly savory and delicious red is immaculate!  Aged for eight months in the American wood that’s so much a signature of the region and made to be consumed while still young and exuberant, that wood imparts a particular smoky, some even call it barbecue-y, nuance to the wine- not a lot, but just enough to make it instantly recognizable as a great wine from Ribera.  We loved its elegant, just-this-side-of-full palate and its delightful bouquet of jammy blackberry, wild herb and wood smoke.  Immediately accessible, we could imagine it would be lovely alongside anything with grill marks on it, from the lambchops so beloved in Ribera del Duero, right through to your favorite burgers from the grill.  With a nice piece of Manchego?  Yes, please.  Like Frank, it’s always a pleasure to meet someone willing put the work in to get just that much further!  We think you’re going to love this.