Marqués de Burgos, `Crianza` Ribera del Duero 2017 Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain PRODUCER 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. VINEYARDS The Tempranillo for the ‘Crianza’ comes from 40-year-old vines located in the towns of Quintana del Pidio, La Horra and Roa de Duero within the province of Burgos. These old vines produce low yields of very concentrated and intense fruit, packed full of flavour. The vineyards are on south-facing slopes at an altitude of 850 metres above sea level. Cool nights at this altitude counteract the heat of the days and allow the grapes to retain a balancing acidity. VINTAGE The 2017 vintage in Ribera del Duero was not without its challenges. The growing season got off to a difficult start when a frost on the 27th April damaged many of the young buds in certain plots and reduced yields. The rest of the growing season was characterised by hot and dry conditions and some vines suffered hydric stress, however, older vines with deeper root systems fared better. The harvest took place on the 2nd October. Yields were lower than in previous years, however the quality of the grapes harvested was excellent. VINIFICATION Upon arrival at the winery, the hand-harvested grapes were Grape Varieties 100% Tempranillo destemmed and lightly crushed before fermentation in stainless- Winemaker María Barúa steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 25°C. Regular pump overs during fermentation ensured perfect levels of extraction of Closure Diam tannin, colour and flavour. After fermentation, the wine was aged ABV 14.5% in new French oak barrels for 14 months, followed by 12 months of Residual Sugar 2g/L bottle ageing before release. Acidity 5.2g/L TASTING NOTES Wine pH 3.7 This wine is intense cherry red in colour. On the nose, it has rich Notes Vegetarian, Vegan aromas of ripe red cherries and wild berries married with notes of black pepper, sweet spices and roasted coffee. Full bodied on the palate with ripe tannins and a well-integrated acidity, which carries the concentrated red fruit and spice flavours onto the lingering finish..