Although the winegrowing origins of the Ribera del Duero region date back to Roman times, it was not until 1975 that a group of local wine producers, aware of the huge qualitative leap they had taken in recent years, started giving serious thought to establishing a Denominación de Origen for the region’s wines.
2 bottles of Austum 2014. Bodegas Tionio.
Bodegas Tionio is the result of the Raventós family’s successful venture in the D.O. Ribera del Duero and of the exquisite care they take over their vineyards, 18 hectares of which are planted with Tinta Fina (also known as Tempranillo) and two with Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Austum 2014 is made exclusively from grapes grown at an altitude of 850 metres on the vineyards planted with this variety in Peñafiel. It has been matured to perfection for 6 months in American and French Allier oak barrels at least three years old, resulting in a tasty, balanced wine with good acidity and a pleasant moreish sensation.
2 bottles of Viyela Crianza 2013. Bodegas Viyuela.
Viyuela Crianza is a superb red made in the Burgos area of the D.O. Ribera del Duero by Bodegas Viyuela, a family-run firm with a long track record. Viyuela Crianza 2013 is a delicious Tempranillo varietal that has been matured to perfection in oak barrels for 16 months – much longer than required by the regulatory board for a wine to qualify as a Crianza. A further six months in the bottle have turned it into an intense, meaty red with velvety tannins. Previous vintages have been awarded prizes such as the silver medal at the Vienna International Wine Challenge (AWC) and the gold medal at Terravino-MIWSC.
2 bottles of Arroyo Crianza 2013. Bodegas Santiago Arroyo.
Arroyo Crianza 2013 is a superb red with all the personality of the D.O. Ribera del Duero and the most demanded wine from the Bodegas Santiago Arroyo. It is made with 100% Tempranillo, from the heart of the denomination: Sotillo de la Ribea. It was subsequently matured to perfection for 16 months in French (60%) and American (40%) oak. The result is an elegant, complex and enveloping wine with soft, velvety tannins. Lovely ripe cherry-red colour with a very brilliant, deep garnet rim.