Rippa Dorii Crianza, Ribera del Duero 2021

Thrilled to add this wine to our list this year, as we somewhat overlooked it at then end of last year – when it was first launched here in the UK.  Made by our friends at Bodegas Ontanon and this is their foray into the region that is Ribera del Duero. The river Duero that flows from Spain and west into Portugal where it becomes the Douro. Rippa Dorii means banks of the Duero in ancestral Latin (obviously!).

Made from 100% Tempranillo (Tinta del Pais), this Crianza is a notch up from their Roble in terms of weight and volume and certainly delivers on both.

Aromas of bramble fruit, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet spice. The palate is rich and complex with blueberry and blackberry fruit, ripe tannins and good length. The wine matures for 12 months in new oak barrels – 70% French (with different levels of toast) and 30% American. 14.5% vol.