Country: Spain Region: Castilla y Léon
Varietal: 90% Tempranillo, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot
Vintage: 2020 Category: Red Wine Style: Dry
Producer: Finca Villacreces
"Finca Villacreces was described by Robert Parker as 'the hidden jewel in Ribera del Duero'. The estate is based at the heart of the Ribera del Duero DO, forming part of the 'golden mile' along with its immediate neighbour Vega Sicilia to the west, Pingus and other such high profile estates. Located in Quintanilla de Onesimo, the stunning estate was purchased by the Anton family of Izadi in 2003 and the resulting wines, made by winemaker Ángel Ortega together with Luis Laso, are deep, dark and focused in style.
The vineyards follow what is called 'integrated viticulture', with canopy management and natural treatments used instead of artificial chemicals. The myriad combinations of sand, gravel, shingle and quartz soils encourage low vigour in the vines (yields are around three tonnes per hectare) and different flavour profiles in the grapes. The estate sits at 735 metres above sea level and comprises 64 hectares. Eighty five percent are planted with Tempranillo (mostly on sand, which gives an attractive fleshiness to the wines), with 5% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (mostly on the quartz and shingle, giving more mineral complexity).
'Pruno' was developed by the team at Villacreces a few years ago with the intention of making a Ribera del Duero that could be enjoyed earlier than their icon wine from this estate, the Villacreces, which is a step up in concentration, depth and complexity. Full of red and black fruit, spice, vanilla and liquorice, it has a smooth, rounded texture and fresh acidity ensuring excellent balance. 'Nebro', the single vineyard wine, is named after the 1.2 hectare site of the estate's oldest (80+ years) Tempranillo vines, which lie just three metres from Vega Sicilia. It is produced only in exceptional vintages and in very limited quantities, just five barrels. The 2016