Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero 2016, Castilla y León, Spain

Our View:

The stunning Finca Villacreces estate is located in Quintanilla de Onesimo on the 'golden mile', in the heart of Ribera del Duero DO. The 155 hectare property is bordered by the River Duero to the north and by the famous vineyards of Vega Sicilia to the west.

This Ribera del Duero, is a great introduction to the wines of this remarkable  region, representing a “step up” from entry level and displaying concentration, depth and complexity, with a red and black fruit character, hints of spice, vanilla and liquorice before giving way to a smooth, rounded texture and fresh acidity on the palate.

The Wine:

The vineyards are now farmed organically, with canopy management and natural treatments used instead of artificial chemicals. As expected, Tempranillo is the mainstay of the vineyards, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon also planted. The vineyards here are a mixture of soils: sandy, gravel, shingle and quartz. Each soil type contributes to different flavours in the fruit as well as to very low yields of around just three tonnes per hectare. The vineyards are planted with about 86% Tempranillo (mostly on the sandy vineyards, which give an attractive fleshiness to the wines), 4% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (mostly on the quartz and shingle, giving more mineral complexity). Organic practices are used as much as possible and the close proximity of the river helps protect against frost. The vineyards lie at 710 metres above sea level and are planted with a density of 2,200 vines per hectare.

A mild winter, followed by a rainy spring, increased ground reserves of water, and budding took place later than usual. A hot, dry August and September saw grapes ripen fully, with rains in September and October.

Fruit was handpicked into 15 kilogram crates in the second and third weeks of October. The three varieties were fermented separately in small stainless-steel tanks with 25% undergoing malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels. The wines were then aged separately in French oak (Taransaud and Darnajou) for a period of 14 months after which the final blend was assembled and bottled.

Tasting Note:

This wine is inky purple in colour with an expressive bouquet of espresso, toasted bread, graphite, wild blueberries, and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a full-bodied, full-flavoured, plush wine with layers of spicy black fruit. Well balanced, with lingering hints of smoke.

The Facts:

What the critics say:

“A fruity and  juicy red with plums and hints of coffee and nutmeg. Full body. Chewy tannins, but plenty in the centre palate, suggesting focus and potential with bottle age. Drink after 2021 and onwards”. James Suckling - 93 points