100% Tempranillo from 50 year old vines
The charming countryside in Spain is generously dotted with vineyard after picturesque vineyard, and as you make your way west from the verdant coast of Green Spain to the dusty plateau of Ribera del Duero, one thing is for certain — Spanish wines have an unbeatable price to quality ratio. This is especially true in Ribera del Duero, where you can consistently find top quality, critically acclaimed wines for way less than ones in neighboring countries.
Ribera del Duero is located on the dry plateau of north-central Spain along the Duero River (known as the Douro River once it flows into Portugal). Along with neighboring Rioja, the region is noted for some the best Tempranillo-based wines in the world. Here the local Tempranillo varietal, known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais, is one of the very few grapes that can withstand the harsh climatic conditions of the region. while yielding especially complex wines.
In summer, temperatures can reach highs of 45°C/113°F during the day, and in the evening, the vineyard can cool down to 15°C/59°F. Thanks to this extreme diurnal swing, Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero develops particularly complex aromas and density of fruit while retaining balanced acidity –this provides the wine with a surprising amount of freshness and lift from such a punishing climate. A steadily-blowing dry wind, much like the Mistral in France, also helps to ensure a healthy ripening of the fruit.
Ribera del Duero
Bodegas Vilano is located in Pedrosa de Duero (Burgos), and is one of the oldest wineries in the Ribera del Duero. The history of Bodegas Vilano begins in 1957 when the parents and grandparents of the current members united their vineyards as a Co-op. At that time, their vineyards already had significant old vine holdings, and now the average age of their vines is 40 years!
Tempranillo loves the poor soil here, producing very low yields of high quality; however, it’s common for vintage variations in the region to wreak havoc with that high quality — especially from vines with such small yields. Bodegas Vilano has the largest vineyard holdings in the area, and that provides them with a very valuable advantage. The numerous small, scattered plots of the Co-Op and their significant differences in microclimate, soil conditions and moisture all help to temper and compensate for fluctuations in difficult vintages.
An AWM find and exclusive selection
The 2018 Vilano Black is another spectacular red from Bodegas Vilano, also sourced from my last buying trip to Spain. The wine’s name refers to the stony, black soil found under the dusty top surface layers, and also the predominance of blue and black fruits on the palate.
Vilano Black is considered a Semi-Crianza or Roble wine — a designation referring to wines that have spent a maximum of 6 months in oak barrels. Roble wines have not been aged long enough to be considered Crianza, but unlike young unoaked wines, they still undergo some barrel aging during production.
With a quick swirl, the deep garnet color introduces plenty of layers to enjoy as intense aromas of blackberries and spice join a palate of rich black and blue fruits packed with coffee, chocolate, and balsamic notes. This perfectly rounded and harmonious red is practically a Crianza, and it sure drinks like one! This Roble was aged for ten months in European oak barrels before bottling, giving the wine an incredibly soft, dense and full-bodied structure. Enjoy this one with your favorite meats — seared, or from the grill.
“Let me count the ways in which this wine is black: in its spark of black rocky soil, in the darkness of its blueberry-skin tannins, in the layers of anise, blackberry and black cherry… It’s tight and as spicy as chorizo, which it would accompany well.” Joshua Greene, Wine&Spirits Magazine 2019
Ok, so maybe this wine isn’t really that black — but couldn’t resist quoting Nigel from Spinal Tap! If you’re a music fan and you’ve burned through your movie binge list during the quarantine, check out This is Spinal Tap — a “mocumentry” by Rob Reiner featuring some old school SNL cast members. This cult satire about a fictional heavy metal band named Spinal Tap spoofs nearly every facet of rock ‘n’ roll excess.
Vilano “Black” Roble 2018
Ribera del Dureo, Spain- Can't make it in? Call 828-253-0060 with your credit card number.
We'll hold your purchase in our temperature controlled cellar for pickup at your convenience
or we'll arrange for delivery.