As with the rest of the Denominacion de Origens in Spain, Ribera del Duero was only recently given its status. A Denominacion since 1982, due to the efforts of a small handful of producers who have almost single-handedly been responsible for dragging winemaking in the region into line with the rest of the world.
These same winemakers have also been among the few who have helped place Spanish wines firmly amongst the best in the world.
Part of the reason for the magnificent reputation of Ribera del Duero is down to the climate. The days are scorchingly hot while the nights are cooler, with frost present throughout a lot of the year. The cooler nights stretch out the ripening process and give the fruit more complexity but also threaten its survival. This means that the vineyard has to be looked after meticulously, half measures don't just result in a drop in the quality of the wine, the wine may be completely spoilt. As a result, the majority of wines made are of the highest quality.
The region is only authorised to produce red and rosé and the main grape varieties are Tinta Fina (a variant of the Tempranillo that has adapted to local conditions), Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Garnacha Tinta and white Albillo (often incorporated to add succulence).
Please note that we list many of the wines from the great Bodegas of Ribera del Duero including Vega Sicilia, in our Fine & Rare List, stretching back as far as 1921.More info ...
This wine together with the next wine come from one of the producers linked to Bodegas y Vinedos O. Fournier, a group of producers who have pooled their resources to help them compete in the market place.
Tinto Fino is used to produce this wine. The fruit undergoes maceration for a period of 15 days in vat, malo-lactic fermentation is used. This wine is aged in oak barrel for 6 months.
Both these wines have powerful but restained red fruit aroma. They both have creamy smooth palates with lots of red fruit flavour and a an under lying savoury note.
Price: £11.23 Including VAT at 17.5%
This wine being a Crianza has been aged in oak barrels for a longer period of time than the Roble, 11months longer in total.
The Ribera del Duero region has quite a large variation in its day and night temperatures and this helps to produce wines that have lots of crisp red fruit character on the nose.
The area and its wines have been given the seal of approval by wine writers the world over. Price: £14.81 Including VAT at 17.5%
Rather special red made from Tinta del Pais.
Colour: Dark, intense purple/red
Bouquet: Notes of crushed red fruits and cherries.
Palate: Tightly structured red fruited flavours with well structured tannins and an underlying vanilla character.
Drink with red meats, especially lamb or goats cheese.
Ready to drink now but will improve with 6 months to one years cellaring.
Price: £19.98 Including VAT at 17.5%
Colour: Medium to strong intensity dark red
Bouquet: Notes of crushed red berries and blackberries.
Palate: Lots of curranty and berry fruit flavours, good grip, chewy tannins and a long, rich finish.
Drink now or cellar for up to 1 year.
75% Tinto Fino and 25% Cabernet.
Price: £34.73 Including VAT at 17.5%
93/100 The Wine Advocate Price: £46.99 Including VAT at 17.5%
Price: £29.62 Including VAT at 17.5%
The previous vintage of this spectacular wine won the Champion Red prize at the 2006 International Wine Challenge.
In my opinion the 2005 is better. It seems more structured, more concentrated, and more complex. This is a belter! Price: £42.91 Including VAT at 17.5%
94/100 The Wine Advocate Price: £66.41 Including VAT at 17.5%
The 1999 Valbuena has a light, youthful appearance. On the nose, there is plummy black fruit, especially blackcurrants and an oaky sweetness. The nose is intense and long with great depths, and pleasantly aromatic. There is more forward fruit on the palate, neatly balanced by some acid. Still a lot of tannin, but still soft and silky.
A very spicy finish concludes a wine that is showing remarkably well. Price: £69.48 Including VAT at 17.5%
