Mission Codename AraYES!
You all must be some real chardonnay junkies because that ‘Heroine’ sold out fast!!! But the day is young and we’re not done partying yet. Let’s switch gears to a massive 95-pointer Tempranillo for just $27.
But we love to talk wine here in case you haven’t noticed dear Operatives! So, grab what you can first and then come back to read up on this AWESOME new Wine Spies Exclusive discovery.
You may have also noticed the top hits from CVNE, Spain’s oldest winery that we’ve been featuring as of late. ell, that burgeoning new relationship led to this brand-new knockout of a project from the hottest of regions: Ribera del Duero.
One of the leading specialists here, Master of Wine Tim Atkin reports “I’ve been visiting Ribera del Duero since the late 1980s when I was fortunate enough to taste at Vega Sicilia… Ribera del Duero is one of the wine world’s most remarkable success stories” adding that “Arano, named after the wife of the founder of owners CVNE in Rioja, comes from four parcels of bush vines planted on the stony soils of high-altitude Moradillo de Roa. Matured in French oak, it’s a serious, concentrated, focused red…”
Serious, and seriously affordable too thanks to this unreal deal today!
Deep cherry red, borderline black in the opaque core. The nose brings in waves of red and black fruits as they pop with nuances of scorched earth and toasted spices. The telltale Ribera intensity is here, backed by vibrant acidity on the tremendous palate. On the expressive, long finish it’s at once elegant and silky soft while seriously rich and tannic to the core. For this youthful, collectible-grade Ribera del Duero, grill up your favorite cuts, or spread out your favorite tapas, unless you have the patience to cellar it long.
Make no mistake, the historic tour de force Rioja legacy behind this newer kid on the Ribera del Duero block is the best explanation to just how virtuous a wine it is, as James Suckling acutely points out “classic winemaking names, such as CVNE hew to both modern and traditional sides, making lengthy and complex wines that are more compatible with contemporary aesthetics” and that’s exactly what we found here, the best of realms old and new.
Did our part and jumped on all there was, now it’s your turn.
95 Points – James Suckling
“Cherries, orange peel, and flowers with blackberries and black cherries. Full-bodied with exquisitely refined tannins that are polished like silk. It’s so persistent and beautiful at the finish. Wonderfully crafted. Give this two or three years to soften.”
Tasting Profile
Red and black fruits, scorched earth and toasted spices
Look | Deep cherry red, borderline black in the opaque core |
---|---|
Smell | Red and black fruits, nuances of scorched earth, and toasted spices |
Taste | The telltale Ribera intensity backed by vibrant acidity is tremendous |
Finish | At once elegant and silky soft while seriously rich and tannic to the core |
Pairing | Grill up your favorite cuts, or spread out your favorite tapas |
What the Winery Says
2018 'Arano' Ribera del Duero
- Winemakers
- Gloria Zapatero Sánchez
- Varietal
- 100% Tinta del País (Tempranillo)
- Vintage
- 2018
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Appellation
- Ribera del Duero, Spain
- Vineyards
- Moradillo de Roa
- Soils
- Gravel, silt, sandy loam
- Vine age
- 20+ years old
- Altitude
- 1,000 meters above sea level
- Aging
- 15 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak