Cruz de Alba Fuentelún 2018
Elegant Ribera Reserva with a modern profile
Cruz de Alba Fuentelún 2018 is an exceptional Reserva red wine produced by the Ramón Bilbao winery in the 'golden mile' of Ribera del Duero. At Finca Fuentelún, at an altitude of 700 m, the Tempranillo grapes that nourish this wine are developed, selected for their intense flavor, a perfect balance between acidity and alcohol, and tannins distinguished by their maturity and silky texture. This red wine is a clear testament to the good work of winemaker Sergio Ávila in his project in Castilian lands.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Type of wine
Region
Grape variety
100% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
French oak barrel of 225 l (1/3 new, 1/3 with 1 year and 1/3 with 2 years)
Type of bottle
Truncated Conical Bottle
Barrel aging time
20 months
Capacity (cl)
75
Total acidity (g/l)
5.67
Sugar
9
pH
3.61
Alcohol content (% vol.)
14.5
General Information
In the Valladolid locality of Padilla del Duero, seven hectares of old vines, planted in 1963, are situated at an altitude of 700 meters, cultivated by the ‘boutique’ winery Cruz de Alba under the principles of biodynamic agriculture. This is the excellent origin of the red Reserva Cruz de Alba Fuentelún 2018, an impeccable single-varietal Tempranillo that embodies the new style of Ribera del Duero. Aromas of black fruits, balsamic notes, and chocolatey touches are the keys to this seductive ‘Ribera’ from Zamora Company.
After a manual harvest on October 11, 2018, its production began, honest and straightforward. After seven days of fermentation at 24.5 ºC, with morning and evening pump-overs, malolactic fermentation took place. The obtained wine aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 1/3 new, 1/3 one year old, and 1/3 two years old. This thirds system, combined with the time in the bottle, resulted in a refined, silky, and very elegant red wine.
Bodegas Cruz de Alba, one of the most attractive projects of the more modern Ribera del Duero, is located in one of the most prestigious areas of the D.O. Its vineyard extends around the village of Padilla de Duero (Valladolid), on the southern edge of the Ribera, at an altitude of 700-750 meters, and is cultivated following the parameters of biodynamic viticulture. Its founder, the winemaker Sergio Ávila, cultivates the vine “learning from nature, seeking balance, and reclaiming the values of the place.” The winery, integrated into the Zamora Company group, like Ramón Bilbao, produces its wines using exclusively native yeasts present in the vineyards.
With a limited production of 9,563 bottles, Cruz de Alba Fuentelún 2018 is a 100% Tempranillo ideal for accompanying roasted meats, meat and vegetable stews, game dishes, white meats, all types of Iberian sausages, and cured cheeses.
Creators' opinion
In appearance, Cruz de Alba Fuentelún exhibits a deep red color. On the nose, it unfolds aromas of black fruits, balsámicos, chocolate, and light toasts. On the palate, it is flavorful, with great meatiness and volume wrapped in a fresh and clean sensation that leaves a pleasant vinous feeling, finishing with a polished and smooth tannin.
The winery
In the year 2000, Bodegas Ramón Bilbao (Zamora Company) set out to establish a winery in Ribera del Duero with quality as its hallmark. The project materialized in 2003, after acquiring Finca Los Hoyales in Quintanilla de Onésimo, in the heart of Ribera del Duero's ‘Golden Mile.’ The winery, named Cruz de Alba, debuted on the market with a Crianza from the 2003 vintage.
Finca Los Hoyales had tempranillo vines planted in 1971, which today nourish the winery's wines. Cruz de Alba's philosophy is centered on conveying the value of the terroir by creating modern-style wines with a pronounced fruity character. The vines are cultivated using agrohomeopathic treatments (minimal intervention), and the harvest is carried out manually, following the biodynamic calendar.