Tag Archives: ribera del duero

Wine of the Day: Hacienda Monasterio Ribera del Duero 2012 9-17-16

Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36.60 special

Case-12 Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($479.95) $399 special

Just outside the town of Pesquera, in Spain’s Duero Valley, Hacienda Monasterio has been producing sumptuous reds since 1992. Limestone soil and organic viticulture give the south-facing vineyard just the right amount of delicacy to match the heat and sunlight. Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) produces the majority of the estate’s grapes, but Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec also find their way into the blends. None other than Peter Sisseck, founder/winemaker at Pingus, started this project and continues to serve as head enologist. His work supports the popular, New World style of Spanish wine. – Daniel

Wine Advocate 94 Points “The current vintage for the crianza is 2012. The 2012 Crianza, from a dry vintage, resulted much fresher than expected, fresher than 2009 and 2011 in fact. The vines are dry-farmed and were planted some 22 years ago, and you might say they have matured by now. The approximate mixture of grapes in their vineyards is mostly Tempranillo with some 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec, and it’s more or less the blend in this wine. The Cabernet works well, providing finesse and some acidity to the Tempranillo….The wine matured in 20% new French oak barrels for some 20 months. There are no traces of the barriques and the nose took me to the Riberas of yesteryear, with some subtle rusticity; it’s ripe without excess and there’s good balance between fruit, spices and perhaps something earthy. The palate is extremely balanced, medium-bodied with very fine tannins, tasty, approachable and long. This could very well be the best crianza ever produced at Monasterio. This has to be one of the bargains of the vintage in Ribera, given the quality it delivers.”

Wine of the Day: Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva 2007 6-21-16

Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2007 750ML ($379.95) Buy Now: $249 special

If Spain had an aristocracy of wines, Vega Sicilia would be king. (Pingus you could call a usurper to that throne.) Founded in 1864, over a century before creation of the Ribera del Duero DOC, the estate’s various owners have made singular wine ever since. In fact, Vega Sicilia can hardly be compared to other Spanish wines, not even the greats of La Rioja. For one thing, the grape varieties originally planted and still grown in Vega Sicilia’s 500-acre limestone-soil vineyard include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec, though eighty percent of the vines are Tempranillo. As a result, Vega Sicilia doesn’t taste like other Tempranillo-based wines from Spain. It is dense and sumptuous, intense but full of finesse, complex and long-lingering on the palate, with the individuality of a monarch. This is like Spain’s First Growth, its Dominus.

Vega Sicilia bottles its Unico only in quality years. After very low yields on old vines, the wine spends time in wooden vats and oak barrels of different sizes before resting in bottle. Release of a vintage usually takes ten years or more, and the wine can develop for many decades in the cellar.

The cool 2007 vintage produced lively wines on the lighter side of the scale. Classic notes of cherry and plum, fresh flowers, leather, and tobacco combine with velvety tannins and firm acidity in a fragrant, bold wine that will impress now or in ten years. Long live the uncrowned sovereign of Spanish wine! – Daniel

Wine Advocate 95 points “They have kept 2005 and 2006 for now, and they are releasing the 2007 Único from a lighter vintage that is accessible already; they will even sell 2008 before 2005 and 2006. 2007 was a cold vintage in Ribera and it produced lighter, fresher wines (perhaps not as problematic as 2008, but there was also frost in 2007). The wine might be a tad lighter than other vintages, but it’s more structured than 2008; it combines elegance and power, is nicely balanced and should be able to develop in bottle for many years, although the quick evolution of the bottle once opened made me hesitate about its drinking window. Let’s hope I’m wrong. 80,000 bottles produced.” WA

Wine Spectator 94 points “This harmonious red is balanced and deep, offering ripe plum and currant flavors, with black pepper, tobacco, licorice and mineral accents. Delivers plenty of structure, with well-integrated tannins and lively acidity. The wine remains graceful through the long, spicy finish. Drink now through 2027”

Wine of the Day: Bodegas Emilio Moro Finca Resalso, Ribera del Duero 2014 6-21-16

Bodegas Emilio Moro Finca Resalso, Ribera del Duero 2014 750ML ($17.95) Buy Now: $11.90 special

Sometimes summer isn’t hot enough – or it’s too hot – and I need a burst of wine from a place known for summer heat (and winter freeze). In such cases, I head for a Ribera del Duero. The 2014 Emilio Moro Finca Resalso fits the bill, for just over ten bucks. Made entirely from young Tempranillo vines planted in Emilio Moro’s original vineyard, this wine warms the palate while refreshing the spirit. Four months in American and French oak lends backbone and sweet smokiness to this fruit-forward tinto. The tannins are smooth and round, as is the finish. Try it with paella, grilled veggies, or anything barbecued. Also try Malleolus, Emilio Moro’s luscious, premium cuvee, like AC on a sweltering afternoon. – Daniel

Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 Points “Bright violet color. Spicy dark berries on the nose, with a suave floral quality building in the glass. Round and seamless in texture, offering sweet black and blue fruit flavors and a touch of smokiness. Shows more red fruit character on the finish, with silky tannins coming in late to add grip. This fruit-driven Ribera is pretty delicious right now.”