Skip to main content
Bottle and Glass
0
  • Red Wine
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • France
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
    • Spain
  • White Wine
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
    • South Africa
  • Rosé Wine
    • Australia
    • France
  • Sparkling Wine
    • Australia
    • France
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
    • Spain
  • Sweet
    • Australia
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
  • Fortified Wine
    • Australia
  • Mixed Cases
  • Gift Vouchers
Bottle and Glass
0
Cart0 Login / Register
  • Red Wine
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • France
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
    • Spain
  • White Wine
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
    • South Africa
  • Rosé Wine
    • Australia
    • France
  • Sparkling Wine
    • Australia
    • France
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
    • Spain
  • Sweet
    • Australia
    • Italy
    • New Zealand
  • Fortified Wine
    • Australia
  • Mixed Cases
  • Gift Vouchers
  • Home
  • Our Newsletter
  • Ribera Revealed - Spanish First Growth

Ribera Revealed - Spanish First Growth

David   27 April 2016 

In the last 20 years an unlikely contender has emerged to challenge Rioja as the leading red wine region of Spain. Ribera del Duero stands in stark contrast to the picturesque and alluring beauty we tend to associate with so many of the world’s great wine regions. Instead it offers a bleak landscape with a handful of isolated and charmless towns.


The region lies about 200km north-west of Madrid on a plateau known as the great Castilian Meseta, a geographical feature that dominates Spain at between 700-850m above sea level. Starting about 30km east of the town of Valladolid, the region runs eastwards up the mighty Douro River (Duero in Spanish) for over 100km, covering about 47,000 acres. On the Douro’s banks, further downstream, lie several other important wine regions in both Spain (Toro & Rueda) and Portugal (Douro).

Ribera del Duero is prone to extreme climatic conditions, with hot summers, cold winters and low rainfall. It seems an unlikely place to grow grapes, but it produces some of Spain’s most wonderful reds due to its suitable soils and high altitude. In this continental climate, night time temperatures can be up to 20 degrees cooler than its hot summer days. The baking sun drives up grape ripeness and sugar content, but cool nights maintain high acidity, striking a superb balance.

Tinto Fino, a local clone of Spain's most popular red variety Tempranillo, is the most widely planted grape in Ribera del Duero. It's well suited to the strong sunlight and wide diurnal variation, being thicker skinned than the Tempranillo clones found in Rioja. The resulting wines are naturally darker and more tannic than Rioja's Tempranillos.


Jancis Robinson MW
says: “The flavour of Tempranillo is essentially savoury rather than sweet. The characteristic smell has hints of leather but the phrase I use most often to describe it is fresh tobacco leaves… There is something sappy, fresh and vegetal about it… the sort of smells you would expect to find in a stereotypical gentleman's dressing room - which is, I suppose, where the leather comes in.” Other descriptors include cherry, plum, tomato, vanilla and clove.

40 years ago there was only one winery in Ribera del Duero (some would argue the whole country) known to wine lovers outside of Spain - the legendary Vega Sicilia. But in the early 80s it was the the dynamic Alejandro Fernandez who brought the potential of the region’s wines to the world. He was also was instrumental in the region being awarded DO status (Designation of Origin appellation) in 1982 when there were only 14 bodegas (wineries) in operation.

Since then Ribera del Duero has expanded significantly to become one of Spain's leading wine regions. Today it has over 300 estates, including several of Spain’s top producers, and prestigious Wine Enthusiast Magazine named it 'Wine Region of the Year' in 2012.

Here are two of the region's top estates.



Aalto

You can't help but be impressed by this extraordinary partnership between Mariano Garcia and Javier Zaccagnini. Established in 1999, Aalto is already regarded not only as one of the best estates in Ribera, but all of Spain.


These two are quite a duo. Wine Spectator Magazine describes Garcia as “one of Spain’s most influential winemakers.” Not surprising given he was winemaker at Vega Sicilia for 30 years, an estate regarded as Spain’s most prestigious. Zaccagnini on the other hand brings the business nouse. In the 90s he was president of the governing body of the Ribera del Duero (the Consejo Regulador) for 6 years, he speak 4 languages and has an MBA.

They set up Aalto with the aim of making wines from Ribera del Duero capable of taking their place amongst the top wines of the world. Incredibly, it seems this lofty goal has already been achieved, their wines now enjoying worldwide acclaim.

Just last year Sarah Jane Evans MW, writing for Decanter Magazine acknowledged that “in less than 16 years Javier Zaccagnini and Mariano Garcia have achieved their aim - to make a wine in Ribera del Duero equal to the world’s best.”

Aalto was selected as one of the Best 100 wineries in the World by esteemed French critics Michel Betanne and Thierry Dessauve.

In Wine Spectator Magazine’s highly anticipated Top 100 Wines of 2015, the Aalto 2012 was awarded 6th place from a selection of “close to 20,000 wines.” This was a massive achievement and a sign that Aalto had arrived on the world stage.

There are several factors behind Aalto’s success, not least of which is Garcia’s phenomenal talent and inside knowledge gained from a lifetime spent in the region. While Aalto started small they now cultivate 110ha (they own about 40ha, and lease the rest) of old Tinto Fino vines. What’s interesting is that the holding is comprised of over 200 separate plots, none bigger than 1ha, spread over 9 different villages (including famed La Horra) and planted in a variety of soils, with vine ages ranging from 40-100 years. This complex tapestry gives Aalto the ability to source and select the best fruit from across Ribera’s diverse terroirs.


Grapes are picked by hand before laborious inspection and sorting. In 2005 a new bodega (winery) was built and unsurprisingly it’s a sight to behold. Constructed partially underground, the sleek, ultra-modern building is kitted out with the latest technology, at the same time keeping some processes old school, like using gravity rather than pumps to move wine. There are refrigerated sorting rooms, customised conical fermentation tanks, the highest quality oak and two vast halls for barrel ageing. Within all this, Garcia is still able to vinify individual parcels of fruit from different plots. He puts together the final blend when he considers the time just right and bottles the wines without filtering.

The estate produces just two wines, one known simply as Aalto, the other as Aalto PS (Pagos Seleccionados) which is made only in the best years. Both are 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and made in a modern fruit-driven style, capturing an elusive combination of power, structure, fine texture and finesse.



Aalto 2008

Aalto 2010

Aalto 2012

Here are 3 vintages of the outstanding Aalto wine. These wines see 20-24 months ageing in oak (approximately 20% American oak, 80% French) of which 50% is new and 50% is 1-3 years old.

1. Aalto 2008

“ A glass-coating opaque purple colour, it is already displaying a complex aromatic array of sandalwood, smoke, espresso, lavender, Asian spices, and assorted blue and black fruits. Smooth-textured, succulent, and structured, it will evolve for 2-3 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2028+. In the scheme of things, it offers great value in top-flight Ribera del Duero." 95 Points, The Wine Advocate #195, Jay S Miller.

This highly desired vintage is unfortunately only available in very limited quantities. 

I can offer it for $139 a bottle (limited) SOLD OUT.



2. Aalto 2010

”The 2010 Aalto was assembled and ready for bottling when I visited the winery. It is already showing great precision and focus on the nose with vanilla-tinged dark cherry and cassis fruit, followed by an undertow of candied orange peel. The palate is already displaying wonderful balance, with supple, very fine tannins and a luscious, sweet candied finish that offers blood orange and tangerine-infused dark fruit. There is a crisp theme of acidity to keep everything balanced. This is very promising. Drink 2016-2030.”92-94 points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013.

I can offer it for $139 a bottle. SOLD OUT.



3. Aalto 2012

This vintage really gave the wine some profile in the US. It was awarded 6th place in the highly coveted Wine Spectator Magazine’s Top 100 Wine list in 2015.

“This red shows focus and density, with rich flavors of plum, blackberry, cocoa, licorice and mineral. The structure is muscular but graceful, featuring ripe fruit complemented by savory notes that keep this balanced and fresh. Best from 2016 through 2032.” 94 points, Wine Spectator #6, Top 10 Wines of 2015 - selected from a total of 20,000 wines.

I can offer it for $139 a bottle. Click here to order.

You won’t regret buying one of these.



Vega Sicilia

“Spain’s undisputed equivalent of a first growth.” Oxford Companion to Wine.

Regarded as Spain’s most prestigious estate, Vega Sicilia was founded in 1864 by Don Eloy Lecanda y Chaves. It came to prominence in the early 1900s after winning several international wine competitions and since then has changed hands several times, most recently in 1982 when the Alvarez family, owner of one the biggest business groups in Spain, took over. Pablo Alvarez has now been at the helm for over 30 years.

“Bodegas Vega Sicilia remains a benchmark for the world’s great red wines.” The Wine Advocate 2010.

The estate is located east of Valladolid and covers about 1000ha, 250ha of which are under vine, mostly Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). But in a nod to the original founder who brought with him several Bordeaux varieties from France, there are also small plantings of Cab Sauv, Merlot and Malbec.

The success of Vega Sicilia lies in its tradition, innovation and extraordinary attention to detail. Yields in the vineyard are extremely low and painstaking grape selection is done by hand. Don’t let the age of the estate make you think the winery is old fashioned - far from it. It has some of the most innovative technology in winemaking, including one of the only two stainless steel ‘elevator tanks’ (the other one is at Chateau Cos d’Estournel). These enable the transfer of wine from one tank to another by harnessing gravity, rather than using a pump.


One of the defining features of Vega Sicilia is the complicated and prolonged ageing process involving barrels of various size and age. Current release wines are usually at least 10 years old and sometimes up to 25! While ready to drink on release, they are famous for their ability to continue ageing without drying out, reputedly cellaring for up to 50 years - if stored well of course.

With acquisitions of other estates (Alión and Pintia), you will now see several wines carrying the Vega Sicila name, however the 2 that get the attention are:

  • Vega Sicilia Único - their flagship wine.
  • Vega Sicilia Único Reserva Especial - a non vintage red blend.


Vega Sicilia Único 1996

4. Vega Sicilia Único 1996

The 1996 Unico is a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec and is, by all accounts, just opening up.

“The 1996 Unico is from what the Vega Sicilia team calls "an icon vintage". Medium purple in colour, it emits a lovely perfume of smoke, mineral, Asian spices, balsamic, and assorted black fruits. Elegant, savoury, and intense on the palate, it has enough underlying structure to evolve for another decade and drink well through 2036.” 97 points, Wine Advocate #189, June 2010, Jay S Miller.

“Pablo Alvarez quipped that in 1996 the growing season was so benevolent that the winemaker was not even necessary! The 1996 Unico has a very pure, pastille-like bouquet with raspberry, wild strawberry, crushed stone and a touch of Chinese tea. It has impressive delineation and linearity. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannins. The fruit profile is shimmering in the glass with black cherries, cassis and blueberry notes. It is very feminine and powerful towards the poised, tensile finish that is long and seductive. One of the finest recent vintages, suffused with sensuality and opulence, the 1996 Unico is destined to be a great wine, one that might unfairly be over-shadowed by the 1994. 99,480 bottles produced. Drink 2020-2040+.” 96 points, Wine Advocate #202, Aug 2012, Neal Martin.

Interestingly, Jay Miller was replaced by Neal Martin at The Wine Advocate in late 2011. Miller resigned following a ‘pay for winery visit’ controversy in the Murcia region of eastern Spain earlier that year. Pancho Campo, Spain’s first MW, also had a hand in the scandal and subsequently resigned from the Institute of Masters of Wine. While there’s no suggestion the Miller note above was tainted in any way, it does explain why the wine was subsequently reviewed by Neal Martin.

The scarcity of this wine and it being half the price of First Growth Bordeaux puts it into perspective. As Jay Miller concluded “ it is one of the great bargains in world-class wine.” Wine Advocate #189, June 2010.

For very special celebrations - experience one of the great wines of the world.

I can offer it for $540 a bottle. 
SOLD OUT.

Service

Service

  • My Account
  • Track Order
  • Returns and Refunds

About Us

About Us

  • About Us
  • Our Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Information

Information

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping
  • Security Policy

Receive our newsletter

Copyright © 2021 Bottle and Glass. All Rights Reserved.
NSW Liquor Licence No. LIQP770010172
ABN: 61 143 856 919
Liquor Act 2007: It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. We support the responsible service of alcohol.
  • MasterCard
  • Visa

Terms & Conditions

Welcome to our website. If you continue to browse and use this website, you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions of use, which together with our privacy policy govern Bottle and Glass’s relationship with you in relation to this website. If you disagree with any part of these terms and conditions, please do not use our website.

The term ‘Bottle and Glass’ or ‘us’ or ‘we’ refers to the owner of the website whose registered office is Shop 4, 29 Newland St, Bondi Junction, NSW, 2022. Our ABN is 61 143 856 919. The term ‘you’ refers to the user or viewer of our website.

The use of this website is subject to the following terms of use:

  • The content of the pages of this website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice.
  • Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website for any particular purpose. You acknowledge that such information and materials may contain inaccuracies or errors and we expressly exclude liability for any such inaccuracies or errors to the fullest extent permitted by law.
  • Your use of any information or materials on this website is entirely at your own risk, for which we shall not be liable. It shall be your own responsibility to ensure that any products, services or information available through this website meet your specific requirements.
  • This website contains material which is owned by or licensed to us. This material includes, but is not limited to, the design, layout, look, appearance and graphics. Reproduction is prohibited other than in accordance with the copyright notice, which forms part of these terms and conditions.
  • All trademarks reproduced in this website, which are not the property of, or licensed to the operator, are acknowledged on the website.
  • Unauthorised use of this website may give rise to a claim for damages and/or be a criminal offence.
  • From time to time, this website may also include links to other websites. These links are provided for your convenience to provide further information. They do not signify that we endorse the website(s). We have no responsibility for the content of the linked website(s).
  • Your use of this website and any dispute arising out of such use of the website is subject to the laws of Australia.

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how we uses and protects any information that you give us when you use this website.

We are committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

We may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes.

What we collect

We may collect the following information:

  • name and job title
  • contact information including email address
  • demographic information such as postcode, preferences and interests
  • other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

What we do with the information we gather

We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

  • Internal record keeping.
  • We may use the information to improve our products and services.
  • We may periodically send promotional emails about new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address which you have provided.
  • From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, fax or mail. We may use the information to customise the website according to your interests.

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about webpage traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.
Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.
You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

  • whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box that you can click to indicate that you do not want the information to be used by anybody for direct marketing purposes
  • if you have previously agreed to us using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind at any time by writing to or emailing us.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have your permission or are required by law to do so. We may use your personal information to send you promotional information about third parties which we think you may find interesting if you tell us that you wish this to happen.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please write to or email us as soon as possible at the above address. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.