Flying back from a work trip last week I anxiously pulled out my latest issue of Wine & Spirits magazine. This month's issue boasts the 100 Top Values of the Year – all priced at $15 or less. I quickly thumbed past the wines from California, South America, and Northern Europe hoping to find my way to the Iberian Peninsula. What I did find (surprisingly, yet happily) was a feature on the magazine's picks for the "Year's Best Ribera del Duero." I have been a huge fan of the region's wines for years and over the past couple of years they are taking their rightful place at the forefront of the Spanish – and world – wine scene. I have tasted a number of the wines listed here (from varying vintages) and encourage you to seek any of them (as well as others not listed) out. Following is the list from the June 2011 issue of Wine & Spirits (ratings from W&S):
- Resalte de Peñafiel – 2001 Gran Resalte (95)
- Viña Sastre – 2006 Pesus (94)
- Conde de Siruela – 2006 Reserva (93)
- Legaris – 2005 Reserva (93)
- Viña Arnáiz – 2004 Crianza (93) Best Buy
- Condado de Haza – 2007 Condado de Haza (92) Best Buy
- Torre Albéniz – 2006 Reserva (92)
- Vaquos – 2007 Crianza (92) Best Buy
- Viña Sastre – 1999 Gran Reserva Pago de Santa Cruz (92)
- Balbás – 2006 Reserva (91)
- Resalte de Peñafiel – 2005 Crianza (91) Best Buy
- Neo – 2009 El Arte de Vivir (91) Best Buy
- Vega-Sicilia – 2005 Valbueno 5º (91)
- Conde de Siruela – 2007 Elite (90)
- Dominio Basconcillos – 2007 Roble (90) Best Buy
- Legón – 2007 Crianza (90) Best Buy
- Pedro Regalado – 2009 Embocadero (90)
- Resalte de Peñafiel – 2004 Reserva (90)
- Tábula – 2004 Crianza (90)
- Viña Sastre – 2008 Crianza (90)
- Hesvera – 2009 Hesvera (89) Best Buy
- Pico Cuadro – 2007 La Casa de las Esencias (89) Best Buy
- Callejo – 2008 Viña Pilar (88) Best Buy
- Pico Cuadro – 2008 La Casa de las Esencias (87) Best Buy
Are you interested in learning more about Ribera del Duero or other wines from the region? I would highly recommend visiting Drink Ribera as they have a plethora of information on Ribera del Duero. You can also check out upcoming tastings around the country. Enjoy!
Life is short. Drink Spanish Wine!
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