Ribera del Duero is known for Tempranillo (known also as Tinto Fino and Tinto del Pais) which makes up 95% of plantings in the area. However, the diversity of the landscape, terroir and winemaking styles mean that every bottle has its own story to tell.
Aster 2015
Grape varieties: 100% Tinta del Pais
Tasting note: Deep ruby with garnet glints. Notes of dense black fruits blended with mushroom, meat and black pepper. On the palate, you get strong notes of ripe plum, bramble, balsamic and rosemary. Full bodied and smooth with well-integrated tannins.
Food match: Would pair perfectly with a rich roasted pepper and tomato sauce pasta, lasagna, especially great with a meat and mushroom dish such as beef wellington.
Stockists: www.oddbins.com
Price £12.00
Lopez Cristobal 2018 Crianza
Grape varieties: Tempranillo ABV 14.5
12 months in oak barrel
Tasting note: An elegant fragrance encompassing aromas of black and red fruit and spicy aromas of balsamic with smoky nuances. It is medium-bodied and has a smooth, velvety texture with an aftertaste of coffee and leather.
Food match: This would pair perfectly with game dishes, barbecues or steak with a peppercorn sauce.
Stockists: Vinissimus
Price £17.90
Nabal Rosado de Lagrima 2020
Grape varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Albillo ABV 13%
Tasting note: Pale, salmon pink. Inviting aromas of red cherry, strawberry, lemon sherbet and pink grapefruit. Dry with citrus notes coming through on the front palate before evolving to cherry and pink grapefruit on the back palate. Ends with slight minerality, and with a good length. Great for those that want the lightness of colour, while still retaining flavour.
Food match: Will make a refreshing accompaniment to summer salads and white fish.
Stockists: Solaris Wines
Price £12.00
Ferratus AO Tendencia 2018
Grape varieties: Tempranilllo ABV 14.5%
12 months in French oak
Tasting note: Light, bright cherry red. Abundant oak aromas of dark chocolate and clove fill the glass, intermingling with smoked meatiness. It has an undercurrent of cherry. Surprising amounts of fruit on the palate considering the nose, with raspberry, red cherry and acai notes. Clove and toast complete the palate. Quite grippy tannins, so would be suited to ageing.
Food match: Anything smoky. BBQ’d meat and vegetables, dishes with smoked paprika and cheese with a little age.
Stockists: Burridges of Arlington Street
Price £16.50
12 Linajes Crianza 2017
Grape varieties: Tempranillo ABV 14.5%
14 months French and American oak. From 80-year-old vines, planted at an altitude of 845-960m.
Tasting note: Deepish ruby with garnet rim. Brooding nose of blackcurrant, liquorice, cedar and fruitcake. Concentrated blackcurrant and bramble on the palate with wood spice and cigar box notes, and chalky tannins. The characteristics are somewhat reminiscent of cabernet sauvignon.
Food match: The tannins and depth of fruit make this wine great for protein heavy and umami dishes; steak would be great, or alternatively try a portobello mushroom burger.
Stockists: Fareham Wine Cellars
Price £13.85
Pinna Fidelis Crianza 2018
Grape varieties: Tinto del Pais ABV 14.5%
15% new French oak
Tasting note: Deep ruby. A dense black fruits core surrounded by notes of balsamic, mushroom, meat and black pepper. This is echoed on the palate with plum, bramble, balsamic and cloves, finishing savoury. Full bodied and smooth with well-integrated tannins.
Food match: Work alongside those savoury notes and try it with anything roasted. Would be especially great with a meat and mushroom dish such as beef wellington.
Stockists: Rannock Scott Wines
Price £16.29
Prado Rey Reserva 2016
Grape varieties: Tempranillo ABV 14.5%
Single vineyard, 34.672 bottles
Tasting note: Deepish ruby just starting to turn brick. Plush damson and plum with a sweet cherry juice kick and dark chocolate edge. Black fruits and cherry following through on the palate, freshened up with loganberry tartness. Chalky tannins but finishes with fruit.
Food match: Good for dishes with some fat that needs both acidity to cut through, and depth of flavour to stand up. Try it with chorizo and bean stew.
Stockists: Vintage Cellars
Price £12.75
Tinto Pesquera 2018 Crianza
Grape varieties: Tempranillo ABV 14.5%
Tasting note: Cherry with a blue hue. Red cherry top note with a secondary layer of raspberry and plum and an undercurrent of yogurt and baking spices. Cherry, raspberry and crunchy cranberry at first leading to yogurt, nutmeg and black pepper on the finish.
Food match: As it’s quite light in body and has noticeable acidity try it with vegetarian dishes like stuffed aubergines.
Stockists: Noble Green Wines
Price £26.00
Paramos de Legaris 2016
Grape varieties: Tinto Fino ABV 15%
Grapes sourced from three different moors at 900m.
Tasting note: Deep ruby with purple glints. Savoury nose of cedar, menthol, hay and mushroom backed with ripe red and black cherry and cherry stone. The front palate gives cherry and brambles with notes of prune starting to develop. Some sweet spices on the mid palate, and creamy vanilla on the finish.
Food match: The evolving tertiary characteristics and earthiness would make this great with small game and dishes with truffle.
Stockists: Vinissimus
Price £20.64
Martin Berdugo Crianza 2018
Grape varieties: Tempranillo ABV 14.5%
12 months in French and American oak. Single vineyard estate.
Tasting note: Medium intensity cherry with a blue hue. Perfumed, bright red berries, strawberry, blueberry and ripe peach. A touch of smokiness and hint of maple glazed ham. Light bodied with summer fruits on the palate, developing to vanilla, cocoa and toast on the finish.
Food match: As it is lighter in style it wouldn’t overpower white meats, while the red fruit characteristics would work well with tomato-based pasta dishes.
Stockists: Worsely Fine Wines
Price £15.95
Celeste Crianza 2018 (Pago del Cielo)
Grape varieties: Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) ABV 14.5%
Aged in French and American oak for 12 months. Vineyards planted at 895 metres altitude.
Tasting note: Deep ruby with garnet glints. Voluptuous black cherry with baked wild strawberry, a touch of vanilla and sandalwood. The ripeness of the fruit on the nose follows through to the palate as does the slightly sweet wood spice. High level of tannins, which are smooth and well-integrated, with good acidity balancing out the ripeness of the fruit. Creamy finish.
Food match: This wine deserves something rich and hearty, such as stews and casseroles.
Stockists: Waitrose
Price £12.99
Tamaral Roble 2019
Grape varieties: Tempranillo ABV 14
4 months in barrel
Tasting note: Light cherry. Aromas of sour cherry, blue raspberry and white pepper. Cherry, raspberry, wild berries and cinnamon to taste with a touch of oak on the palate. Not too dissimilar to a Beaujolais.
Food match: This is a wine to be enjoyed young and would be good slightly chilled. Would be great for charcuterie, antipasti or seared tuna.
Stockists: Rodney Fletcher Vinters
Price £13.90
Find out why this lesser known Spanish wine region should be top of your wine bucket list this year and discover which wineries you should be visiting in the Ribera del Duero.
