Twin Cities Wine Tasting with John Glas
Host your own wine tasting with John Glas

 

Ribera del Duero Tasting

with Superior Imports

 

A series of wines were tasted in September that are not available in the US.  Superior Wine Imports asked me to taste the wines and give my honest opinions on the quality and prices of the wines.  I was pleased with what I tasted and check out the reviews.  Currently these wines are not available in shops but I will keep everyone posted.

 

Ribera del Duero

Quality wine is something new to Ribera del Duero with the exception of a few producers.  In the 80s quality improved dramatically and now it is one of the best wine regions in the world in regards to quality and price.

The weather is harsh with 100 degree days in the summers.  The major grape planted is Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and all the top wines are using the grape.  The flavors of these wines are earth, plum, leather, chocolate, blackberries, coffee, and more.  They are not for the weak at heart. 

The top Bodega in Ribera del Duero is Vega-Sicilia and is the top wine I have tasted to date:

1968 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Unico Ribera

del Duero $$$$$+

Color:  Medium red

Nose:  Rose petals, minerals, cassis

Taste:  Wow!  Rose petals, earth, cherry

Finish:  Long and Intense for such an old wine.  Super concentrated with flavor

Evaluation:  Top wine of all time!  98 points

Terms on the Label

Crianza- Released after 2 years of aging with a minimum of one year in oak

Reserva-  Released after 3 years of aging with a minimum of one year in oak

Gran Reserva-  Released after five to seven years of aging with a minimum of two years in oak

*The label does not always mean it is a better wine even thought the vineyard sites are better for the Riserva and Gran Reserva wines.

The Reviews

 

2005 Tinto Ribon Crianza Ribera del Duero

100% Tempranillo grape from 25 year old vines

15 months in oak barrels

Medium purple wine that exhibits spice, plum, figs, floral notes in the nose and palate.  Medium finish with high tannin levels.  Should age this wine for a few years.  85 points

2005 Ribon Vendimia Selecccionada Ribera del Duero

90% Tempranillo with 10% Merlot

20 months in oak barrels

This dark purple wine exhibits intense aromas of floral, cranberry, dark fruits and mushrooms.  On the palate expect distinct flavors of floral, oak, vanilla, spice, and floral elements.  This is a complex, multi layered wine with a long finish.  91 points

2004 Bodegas Tamaral Crianza Ribera del Duero

100% Tempranillo from 20 year old vines

16 months in oak

Medium purple in color with interesting aromas of wood, chocolate, smoke, and cinnamon.  This wine shows nice balance and the acidity is perfect.  With a medium finish many of the aromas linger throughout the finish.  90 points

2003 Bodegas Tamaral Reserva La Finca Ribera del Duero

100% Tempranillo from 20-40 year old vines

24 months in oak

Medium purple with oak, plum, raspberries, and mushroom.  The palate exhibits spice, generous amounts of fruit, and acidity is check.  This wine is very balanced but not quite as good as the previous.  88 points

2004 Viyuela Reserva Ribera del Duero

100% Tempranillo

24 months in oak

Extremely dark purple with a simple but pleasant nose of mushroom and spice.  The palate picks up with plum, cherries, berries, spice, oak, and cinnamon.  Tannin levels are medium and it offers a multi layered, balanced wine.  91 points

2005 Viyuela Seleccion Ribera del Duero

100% Tempranillo

20 months in oak

Medium purple with floral, mushrooms, cinnamon, and raspberries.  Intense flavors of spice, raspberries, vanilla, and oak.  Complex finish and smooth tannins.  Drink now!  90 points

2003 Torres De Anguix Crianza Ribera del Duero

100% Tempranillo

4 months in oak

Dark purple with interesting aromas of Asians spices and figs.  Taste of spices, cassis, violets, and crushed rock.  Almost Shiraz like.  Big, complex finish.  91 points

2000 Torres DeAnguix Riserva Riberia del Duero

100% Tempranillo from 35 to 70 year vines

18 months in oak barrels

Dark purple with floral, mushroom, and cinnamon.  Palate shows nice acidity with spice, oak, vanilla, and raspberry.  Smooth tannins and drinking well right now.  90 points

2006 Somanilla Vendimia Seleccionada Ribera del Duero

100% Tempranillo

9 months in oak

Dark purple on this extremely fragrant wine.  It shows Raspberries, violets, minerals, oak, vanilla and blueberries.  Nice finish and it should improve with some bottle age.  89 points

2004 Buro Depenalosa Ribera del Duero

Dark purple with blackberries, spices, and wood on the nose.  The taste shows a variety of wood, cherries, plums and spice.  Finish is intense and should show well for years.  90 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Producers to look for at the better Wine Shops


Aalto

Emilio Moro

Felix Callejo

Dominio de Pingus "Flor de Pingus"
Torres

Spanish Wine Terms

Bodegas-  Appears before the winery on a regular basis which means winery, wine cellar, or storage area

Crianza-  In Spanish means "Breeding" or "Upbringing" 

Con Crianza- means aging of the wine either in oak, barrel, or bottle

DO- Also known as Denominacion de Origen and is the Spanish classification system.

Ribera del Duero- One of the top wine regions in Spain.  The main grape is Tempranillo and the two most famous producers are Vega Sicilia and Alejandro Fernandez.

Riserva-  Released after 3 years of aging with a minimum of one year in oak

Tempranillo- The main red grape in Spain (Garnacha the other big one). Also known as "Tinto Fino." 

Tinto- Spanish for "red"

Vino de Crianza- means aging of the wine either in oak, barrel, or bottle

 

 

 

 

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