Terroir-istes International - Spain, Castilla y Leon, Ribero del Duero Part 1

A focus on the Ribero del Duero over two tastings

• 2014 Hermanos Pérez Pascuas Ribera del Duero Reserva Viña Pedrosa 92 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): Mid+ ruby hue with a vibrant, lifted nose showing pronounced oak spices alongside plenty of ripe blackcurrants with creme de mure and black plum pie dusted with exotic spices, mocha, and chocolate. As it opened, it revealed subtle notes of cherry cola, tobacco, and vanilla.
  Full-bodied yet with a soft, rich texture that is intense with a mineral undertone that provides some structure. Sweetness is gained from plum crumble compote and cherry flavours that coat the palate, while layers of mocha and pastille add complexity. The finish is remarkably long, characterized by lingering spicy elements and fine-grained, powdery tannins. Overall, an ambitious wine and rather showy, yet retaining balance. Some found the tannins challenging.

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• 2013 Pago de los Capellanes Ribera del Duero Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): It is a deep ruby colour, with a bouquet of pipe tobacco and Marmite that mingle with a savoury forest floor undertone. As it opened, there were hints of cherry and vanilla, but this felt older oak, not new.
  Again good intensity and focus on first sip with some restraint at first with notes of wet tobacco leaves, smoke, blackcurrant (there is 10% CS in this) and some coffee grinds. The tannins are firm but sweet-edged, and this is a full-bodied wine, well structured with excellent depth and a linear palate shape. Long and lingering there is plenty of wood adding complexity that should further integrate whilst it closes fairly warm with firmer tannins - nicely contrasted wine.

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• 2013 Telmo Rodríguez Ribera del Duero Matallana 89 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): A bright, deep ruby hue, this wine has a clean if subdued nose with slight floral notes, light but fresh fruit, a touch of liquorice and spice, and subtle mineral and smoke undertones.
  Restrained on the palate as the nose with elements of menthol and tobacco leaves mingled with brown spices. Chewy texture and fresh acidity structure this more upright wine as it heads to a sinewy, chalky tannic finish dusted in cayenne pepper and a hint of mineral. Possibly lacking a bit of charm and expression, this might be revealed with more age. 89+
  Field blend of 85 Tempranillo, 15 mix of Valenciano (Bobal), Navarro (Garnacha), and some white Albillo. Old vines planted in three plots in distinct villages

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• 2007 Cillar de Silos Ribera del Duero Flor de Silos 90 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): A mid-ruby wine that is quite dominant in macerated black and red fruits yet equally displays oaky characters through moch and dark 100% chocolate. There is a nice evolution where tapenade, brown mushroom, sandalwood and leather start to complex the bouquet.
  The entry is rich and sweet yet intense, focused, and lovely in depth of flavour. The tannins are compact, thick, and powdery, like crushed velvet. Warm and generous, this powerful wine still has a lively sappy acid thread. While the fruit is rich (clean red berries), the oak is fairly full-on (even at this maturity!), slightly overshadowing the wine's other characteristics. This results in a slight mid-palate dip that rebounds on the persistent finish. It felt the wine was in separate boxes with oak in one, fruit in another and the evolution a third - all never quite intertwining. Tricky to score! some felt it was over its peak. 90+

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• 2008 Cillar de Silos Ribera del Duero Torresilo 88 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): Mid+ Ruby the bouquet gathers smoke, yeast extract, leather, roasted meat, brown spices and blackberry. some evolution noted as some toasty oak.
  The palate is intense, with relatively grippy, solid tannins that give a sinewy texture. Full-bodied, old vine concentration, there is some power but not too full throttle nor much flavour depth but with better oak integration and notes of smoke, spice cake, mineral, leather furniture and blackberry. Mostly ripe and spice infused with a medium to long exit. At peak.

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• 2016 Bodegas y Viñedos Valderiz Ribera del Duero 95 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): A deep purple colour with notes of blackberry pie, cassis, espresso foam, mineral-stony feel, liquorice, and spice, with attractive crushed red flowers florality. Youthful and fresh, there is new oak, too.
  Intense and concentrated, the tannins are robust, almost astringent, yet the wine feels polished, finessed and beautifully sculpted with sumptuous fruit and a long, clean, mineral-driven finish. Some felt it was more a generous, bold, brash character, evoking a port-like feel (Xmas cake) on the finish yet I think this was well-managed. The wine closes with a tapestry of dried orange peel and cayenne spice.

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• 2015 Viña Sastre (Bodegas Hermanos Sastre) Ribera del Duero Regina Vides 93 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): Deep, concentrated purple colour, with a bouquet redolent of black olives, cherry cola, toast, and smoke with some liquorice. The palate entry has an amazing freshness and vibrancy, whilst the oak spices are clear but well-integrated, adding depth and complexity to the smoky notes.
  The wine exudes finesse with its lively acidity and warm, generous nature, delivering a powerful yet elegant wine.
  It has all the components for some further ageing, whilst, at the moment, there is more focus on the oak influence with that tapenade element, some black fruits, spice and warmed cherry flesh. It is a fabulous wine with length and seamless structural integrity, yet it is highly approachable.
  18 months in new French oak barrels

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• 2005 Alonso del Yerro Ribera del Duero Maria 93 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): GDeep intense black-red colour with aromas of black olive, tapenade, machiato foam and ripe dark fruits, with a brooding intensity. The palate is impressive, with excellent depth of fruit, concentration, and richly textured with a dusting of finely ground black pepper..
  Fine-grained, compact tannins provide structure while maintaining fleshiness. The mid-palate offers warmth and depth, with layers of black olive, tapenade, truffle, currant, and blackberry, all complemented by mocha, liquorice and a touch of graphite reminiscent of a Pauillac. A long farewell this was an outstanding wine! Some felt it needed to be knit, so it felt disjointed. As it opened, the tannins did become a little more prominent.

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• 2009 Bodegas J A Calvo Casajus Ribera del Duero NIC El Montecillo 91 Points

  Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

  (Tasted Blind): Mid-plus ruby the nose offers a surfeit of oak spices that work with black raspberry, boysenberry, orange peel and blackberry. Deeply concentrated on entry, plenty is going on, with tar, liquorice, wild raspberry and macerated cherries all set against firm, compact tannins that give a dense and structured profile. The wine maintains elegance and liveliness due to an energetic mineral-tinged acidity, keeping all elements balanced and flowing. The finish is long, quivering in the mouth, with a hint of warm, soothing alcohol.
  Single 1.5 hectare plot matured in new 500-liter Allier barrels over 18 months.

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