2019 Now finished: MARQUES DE BURGOS, Roble. Ribera Del Duero, Spain

Ribera del Duero is a renowned wine region due north of Madrid and south west of Rioja. The latter area may be more famous, but Ribera is just as prestigious, mainly because of the iconic estate Vega Sicilia, and more recently producers like Pesquere and Pingus.
The region produces almost only red wine, with Tempranillo dominant. The quality is improving all the time but for years I have found them too dense and over dominated by oak ageing. The same could be said for Rioja, but at least there the wines are often given many years to soften in bottle before being sold.

100% Tempranillo, aged for just six months (low by RdD standards) in American and French oak barrels

The words of UK agent Liberty wine:
“Marqués de Burgos is the Ribera del Duero operation of Bodegas LAN. Established experts in Tempranillo in Rioja, they embarked on a search for prime vineyard sites within the Ribera del Duero region, where this famed grape also thrives. Their thorough search led them to the village of Quintana del Pidio and old bush vine vineyards producing low yields of very intensely flavoured grapes. María Barúa is at the winemaking helm and perfectly marries the exuberant berry fruit aromas of Tempranillo with subtle spiciness from measured use of oak.”

A modern, ‘fresh’ style of Ribera. There is plenty of power and clear oakiness too – but the bright fruit wins through.