Castilla y Leon, Spain
Ribera del Duero DO
The Viyuela family's endeavours in Ribera del Duero date back to the 19th century, when they built a modern (for the times) winery located in their town of Boada de Roa. It wasn't until 2003, though, that the family embarked on their own project, cultivating and producing wine under a family label. Like many families who work in the production of wine in Ribera del Duero, they focus on really simple agricultural practices to tend their old vines, they rely on their unique climate to grow the best quality of fruit and they focus solely on Tempranillo.
This particular bottling from the Viyuelas is aged 10 months in American and French oak barrels with another 12 months in bottle. And the results are exactly what you would come to expect from a delicious Ribera with loads of ripe fruit quality and hints of vanilla and cocoa in the background. The fruit flavours of wild berries, strawberries and plums are balanced between a well-integrated, but prominent, oak component and delicate florality. The nose is intense on this powerful, full-bodied dynamo but there's still a sense of freshness and suppleness to the texture. Length on the palate through a balanced finish.
Best served at cellar temperature with a 1 hour decant. Ideal for pretty much any meats in any preparation - grilled, braised, stewed, roasted, seared, etc. Or try it with extra dark chocolate, aged cheese, saucy BBQ or meaty Mexican fare like Birria.