Lopez Cristobal have been growing grapes since the time that Ribera del Duero received it's DO status, but only under their own name since 1994. With 70 hectares of vines (mostly Tinta del País (Tempranillo) with a little bit of Merlot and Albillo Mayor for 'nuance') the vineyard has improved dramatically since the first days of Ribera wines.
This wine, La Colorada Crianza, would normally have up to 5% Merlot in the blend but this vintage is 100% Tinta Del País. As with all their wines, the grapes are hand-picked and undergo a rigorous table selection.
The vines are an average of 30 years old at an altitude of 790 metres (2600 feet in old money!),
The wine spent 12 months in (1-3 year old) oak barrels with another year of bottle aging before release.
It shows impressively first with it's bright cherry colour and fresh, elegant aroma of berries and wild fruits (blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries ...)
On the palate, it is long and full bodied with complex, ripe fruit beautifully balanced by the oak aging and nuanced spices. The finish of soft ripe tannins, toasted wood lingers and leaves a luscious, elegant aftertaste. Lovely!
92 Points & Silver Medal Winner at the International Wine Challenge 2022
"Bright red and black fruit notes. Opulent spice oak character. Well-rounded palate of plum, blackberry and vanilla. Crispy finish .."
This wine is packed in cases of 6. To order 12 btls or more, just order 2 x 6pk etc
Alc. Vol. 14.50%
Last Tasted: July 2023