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Secreto, Ribera del Duero 2016

Red Wine from Spain - Ribera Del Duero

2 Reviews

A new find, this is our second vintage of this classy Spanish red. Made by Spanish Master of Wine Almudena Alberca, this is an outstanding Ribera del Duero that deserves plenty of attention for its uncommon purity and depth. This is not overworked, just delicious.

is no longer available

Code: SP15451

Wine characteristics

Red Wine
Full-bodied
Tempranillo
Now to 2025
14% 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.

The season in Rioja was kind to the vines - after many years of drought, 2016 had good rainfall in winter, providing water reserves for vines to grow gradually through the dry and warm summer.

For the first time in years, harvest dates were in line with historical averages and grapes were picked ripe and healthy. Yields were quite high, so to maintain quality the best producers green harvested (thinned the crop by removing some bunches from the vine). It is a year when everything has fallen in to place for an excellent vintage of ripe but beautifully balanced wines.

Ribera del Duero can claim similar success to Rioja, with concentrated, balanced wines.

In Catalunya drought conditions led to lower than usual yields. That, of course, led to small berries and commensurate concentration in the wines. In short, a very good vintage.