A foremost expert on Spanish wine, Tim Atkin MW wrote “I’ve been visiting Ribera del Duero since the late 1980s… it’s one of the wine world’s most remarkable success stories” recently adding that “Given the prestige and the fame of its top wines, most notably Pingus and Vega Sicilia, it’s easy to forget that Ribera del Duero is a young DO, established in 1982… the region may be young, but many of its best vineyards are more than 50 years old… Ribera has changed a lot in the last decade and will continue to evolve.”

There’s a revolution going on here no doubt, and they are targeting the greatest reds of the world, at unbeatable prices. With our healthy HALF OFF break on top to knock it down to the $20s, it offers up vinous grace and quality you just can’t easily find anywhere else at that price.

Wait, you can’t find this wine elsewhere, period, it’s another Wine Spies exclusive! We loved their Crianza too (already on the next container) which got 94 points by Wine & Spirits, and believe it or not, we like this Reserva even better! Leading Spanish publication Guía Vinos Gourmets awarded it 93 points. Still, they must have evaluated it alongside greats like Vega Sicilia because we think it drinks far better!

Wine & Spirits defines Viyuela’s style well: “Long-time residents of Boada de Roa (in Burgos), the Viyuela family built their winery in 2002 to create a business out of their experience as grape growers and winemakers. All of their grapes come from the family’s vineyards surrounding the town, the vines ranging from 40 to 50 years old and providing… “wines with beautiful fruit depth.”

And so, we dove in! Into that deep, deep fruit. And superb use of oak spice. And a symphony of complex aromas and flavors from juicy blackberries to damson plums, from violets to lavender, from tobacco leaf to cocoa powder, this has it all. Intensely perfumed, with gently chewy tannins and lively acidity focused, succulent, and lifted on the persistent finish. We really dig the mélange of tradition and modern touches it conveys and resonates. With a roast leg of lamb or a pot of veggie curry, it would sing and dance.

What are you waiting for? Add some Spanish flair to your lockers now!

93 Points – Guía Vinos Gourmets