Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero is situated on a plateau in the Castile and León provinces, a couple of hours drive directly north of Madrid. The name of the region translates as the Banks of the River Duero, which is the same river known as the Douro in Portugal. It is one of Spain’s iconic wine regions, with its top producers famous worldwide for the quality and age-ability of their wines. Whilst some of the wines here can go for £100s a bottle there are still some great value wines available.
The main grape varieties used in this region are Tempranillo for reds and Albillo Mayor for white wines. Both of these vines are well suited to hot, dry climates, such as those found in Ribera del Duero, and are often grown in bush vines (a way of growing vines which helps protect them from excessive heat and drought by growing them close to the ground, making them look like a bush). Despite the hot summer climate, here the nighttime temperatures drop dramatically, allowing the grapes to retain their freshness whilst ensuring the wines are rich and intense in style.
Here are a few of the fantastic wines from this region that we have in store as we celebrate this wonderful Spanish wine region.
Sembro Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero £13.95
This 100% Tempranillo is aged in oak for 5 months. It has an intense purple red colour, with flecks of violet. The bouquet offers hints of red dried fruits and dark berries, liquorice and roasted bread as well as sweet aromas of vanilla and caramel. The palate is pleasant and balanced, with silky, full tannins. The aftertaste shows more red fruits like strawberry and raspberry and classy oak and vanilla tones.
Finca Villacreces Pruno, Ribera del Duero £19.95
This wine is made from grapes grown in vineyards adjacent to Vega Sicilia. Made mostly with Tempranillo and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot It is then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Powerfully purple in appearance, this gives out a brooding bouquet of earthy minerality, spices, a touch of incense and a range of black fruits. Velvety textured, sweetly fruited, layered and lengthy, this is a fantastic value wine.
Parajes de Callejo Ribera del Duero, Parajes de Callejo £28.95
Intense sight cherry colour, with an edging of cardinal tones. The nose is very aromatic, primary, with notes of wild red and black fruit, rosemary, lilac, scrubland, oregano, cinnamon, confectionery notes. The palate is complex and structured, highly integrated wood step fruity, black plum and blueberry, smoked fine, mineral character with a lingering finish.
Chafandin, Ribera del Duero £34.95
This wine exclusively from 100% Tempranillo from about 40 years old vines. The wine is then put in new French oak barrels for as long as deemed appropriate by the winemaking team (depending on the vintage), typically between 15 to 20 months. This is a wine with intense aromas of ripe black fruit, mineral notes and fine, smooth tannins. The palate is very bold with juicy fruit flavours and a lingering complex finish.
Alion, Bodegas y Vinedos Alion £89.95
Vega Sicilia's managing director, Pablo Alvarez, calls Alion "a wine somewhere between a Ribera del Duero and a Medoc in style." It is made from 100% Tempranillo from 15- to 20-year-old vines. An irrepressible wine, exhibiting aromas of violets, wood smoke, exotic spice and black fruit. The palate carries weight and suppleness with luscious ripe blackberry flavours. Will age but drinking beautifully now.