Bodegas Arzuaga Tempranillo Crianza 2020

Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero, known locally as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País, exhibits distinct characteristics compared to its counterpart in Rioja, largely due to the region's unique climatic and soil conditions. In Ribera del Duero, where the grape endures a harsh continental climate with extreme temperatures, Tempranillo produces wines that are deeply colored and full-bodied with a concentration of flavors. The thick-skinned variety adapts well to the short growing season, resulting in reds with firm tannins, medium to high acidity, and complex profiles featuring blackberry, cassis, plum, red berries, vanilla, spice, leather, and tobacco. In contrast, Tempranillo from Rioja, which benefits from a milder climate and more diverse soils, often yields softer, more approachable wines with nuanced flavors and a smoother texture. The bold, structured wines of Ribera del Duero are thus celebrated for their intensity and aging potential, setting them apart from the often more elegant and refined Tempranillo-based wines of Rioja.

Pairs well with hard cheeses, charcuterie (Jamon Iberico), vegetable and legume based dishes. Versatile partner for a variety of meats including herb crusted lamb, venison, wild boar, pork, duck, etc.

In Spain, quality classifications for wines are designed to reflect their aging and quality levels, with terms commonly found on labels. In Ribera del Duero, these classifications are:

- Cosecha**: Indicates a wine that doesn't meet specific aging requirements but fulfills the basic standards for the DO classification.

- **Crianza**: Red wines must be aged for at least 24 months, with a minimum of one year in oak barrels. Rosado wines require a minimum of 18 months of aging, including six months in oak.

- **Reserva**: Red wines must age for at least 36 months, with one year in oak and the remainder in the bottle. For rosado wines, aging must be a minimum of 24 months, with six months in oak.

- **Gran Reserva**: Red wines need to be aged for a minimum of five years, with at least two years in oak barrels and the rest in the bottle. Rosado wines require at least 48 months of aging, with six months in oak.

These classifications help consumers understand the aging and quality of the wine, with Gran Reserva being the most aged and often most complex.

92 points James Suckling: “A mixture of black and red fruits with sweet cinnamon spices and a balsamic edge. Some mussels and stones, as well. Medium to full body on the palate with mineral, chalky tannins and a juicy finish. Pretty seamless and long. Drinkable now, but better in two years.""

95 Points Decanter: ""This is a big wine with alluring aromas of cedary oak and black fruit. Ripe palate of black berries, some dark chocolate and integrated, polished oak. Long spicy finish. Classy Ribera.""

92 points Wine Enthusiast: “Dark ruby to the eye, this wine has a nose of purple fig, aniseed and graphite. Rigorous tannins provide a framework for blackberry, black-cherry, mocha, fennel-bulb and crumbled sage-leaf flavors that evaporate into a red-berry and milk-chocolate finish.” — Mike DeSimone

Ribera del Duero: Spain's Premier Wine Region

Ribera del Duero, nestled in the heart of Castile and León, Spain, is a historic and revered wine region known for its exceptional Tempranillo wines. Spanning from the city of Valladolid to Aranda del Duero, the region is characterized by its high-altitude vineyards, which range between 760 and 945 meters above sea level. The terroir of Ribera del Duero is defined by its diverse soil types, including chalk, clay, marl, and gravel, influenced by the erosion of the Duero River. The area experiences a harsh continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters, moderated slightly by the river. This unique combination of altitude, soil, and climate creates ideal conditions for growing Tempranillo, locally known as Tinto Fino, which thrives in these challenging conditions and produces robust, complex wines.

Bodegas Arzuaga-Navarro is situated in the heart of this prestigious region, in Quintanilla de Onésimo. The estate, known as La Planta, benefits from the area's exemplary terroir and offers an ideal environment for cultivating premium grapes. The vineyards at La Planta are planted on clayey limestone soils at an altitude of 911 meters, enhancing the fruit's richness and acidity. This strategic location allows Arzuaga-Navarro to produce wines that exemplify the Ribera del Duero's renowned quality. With a commitment to excellence and an integrated approach to viticulture and winemaking, Bodegas Arzuaga-Navarro stands as a leading figure in the region, contributing to the global acclaim of Ribera del Duero wines.