Some experts claim that
centrally-located Ribera del Duero, Spain's fastest
growing wine region, has the greatest potential
for memorable red wines. These are largely inspired
by the revered Vega Sicilia, an estate producer
whose dark Tempranillo wines are balanced with
20% Cabernet Sauvignon. For one hundred years
Vega Sicilia has taken Spanish tradition to the
extreme, growing highly concentrated grapes and
aging wines ten years in cask and sometimes more
in bottle before releasing exquisite, expensive
wines that still benefit from cellar aging. Like
slightly smaller versions of Vega Sicilia, other
Ribera del Duero Tempranillos are tannic and long-lived,
usually inky and massive, with complicated aromas
of chocolate, plums and smoke. French varietals
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec are joining
the native varietals. White Ribera del Duero uses
the indigenous varietal Albillo.
