Cepa Gavilan Crianza Ribera del Duero 2018 is no longer available

Sold Out

Cepa Gavilan Crianza Ribera del Duero 2018 view 1

Cepa Gavilan Crianza Ribera del Duero 2018 view 2

Cepa Gavilan Crianza Ribera del Duero 2018 view 3

Cepa Gavilan Crianza Ribera del Duero 2018

Cepa Gavilan Crianza Ribera del Duero 2018

Red Wine from Spain - Ribera Del Duero

4 Reviews

is no longer available

Code: SP16791

Wine characteristics

Red Wine
Full-bodied
Tempranillo
Drinking now
14.5% Alcohol
bouquet/flavour marked by oak
Cork, natural

Ribera del Duero

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...

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 blends of the renowned wines of the Vega Sicilia estate for more than 130 years. The geography of the valley is fairly flat and rocky, with alluvial sandy soils interspersed with limestone, chalk and clay/marl.
The success of Vega Sicilia and the wines of Alejandro Fernández in the 1980s led to an explosion of estate bottled wines where previously most growers had sent their grapes to the local cooperatives. The quality of the wines from these estates earned great acclaim in Spain and latterly around the world, and Ribera has earned itself a place at the top table of Spanish wine regions.

Viña Pedrosa is one of the great estates in Ribera del Duero and is entirely a family concern, managed and run by three brothers, Benjamín, Manuel and Adolfo Pérez Pascuas. Having started the estate in 1980, today they own 150 hectares of prime vineyards near the villages of Pedrosa de Duero and Roa, north of the river Duero in the province of Burgos.

The secret behind the quality of the grapes is the high altitude (850 metres), which offsets the intense heat of this continental region, and the age of the vines (an average of 35 years). This results in grapes with incredibly intense flavours yet supported by fresh, natural acidity and fine, velvety tannins. The brothers are between 71 and 85 years-of-age now and since 1989 Benjamin's son José Manuel Pérez Ovejas has been in charge of winemaking.

They make several wines, starting with the classy Cepa Gavilàn for everyday drinking, right up to reserva and gran reserva wines which can age magnificently in bottle.

Spain Vintage 2018

A good if not great vintage in Rioja, with early rains and frosts followed by drought conditions in the growing season. Fortunately, some late summer rains offered respite from the aridity and an earlier than recently normal harvest took place in very fine weather. The result is wines of balance and digestible levels of alcohol.

Ribera del Duero enjoyed a very good vintage in 2018, with wines showing harmony between freshness and fruit as alcohol levels were moderated by the cooler growing season. Yields were cruelly reduced by severe frosts and the drought, but Ribera rode them with some success.

Priorat in Catalonia had a good vintage despite the conditions, with its proximity to the moisture of the Mediterranean Sea and its many old-vines with deep roots being able to withstand the heat and dryness well.

Galicia had a good vintage too, thanks to its Atlantic Ocean influences and despite some fires in Rías Baixas that hit vineyard areas.