Avaniel Ribera del Duero 2015

This relatively young Denominación de Origen, established only in 1982, lies within the Castilla y Léon region of north-west Spain and has fast become one of the superstars among that nation’s increasingly stellar array of wine producing areas. Long in the shadow of the more famous Rioja region to the north-east, Ribera now makes some of Spain’s most iconic, and fine, wines.

The Duero river modifies the extremes of the climate in this high (between 750 and 900 metres above sea level), continental region which is prone to dramatic hailstorms, frosts and heat. Its success is due to the quality of the tinto del pais grape, a local clone of the tempranillo variety, which produces dark, fresh, elegant, intense wines of good structure. The swing between hot daytime temperatures and cooler nights help maintain the wonderful balance and natural freshness.

There are increased plantings of Bordeaux varieties alongside it, though cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec have been present in the...

The 2015 harvest in Spain looks pretty good everywhere. The summer was continuously hot and dry, so even if in some areas the volume of production is down (smaller grapes due to evaporation and the fruit contracting with the heat) things look healthy.

Rioja had the earliest harvest on record – three weeks earlier than usual – and tempranillo was picked at full ripeness in the northern sub-districts. These wines have a long way to go until they are released onto the market.

In Ribera del Duero the season was also, like Rioja, hot and dry and the harvest was smaller than 2014 by 30% or so. Older vines, with their deeper roots were able to find moisture more readily than young vines.

In Galicia hot, dry conditions were alleviated in August when a little rain fell and a little rot crept in to some vineyards. However, the harvest took place in mid-September in excellent conditions and has proved to be very overall.