Dominio Basconcillos, Vina Magna Crianza 2020, Ribera del Duero, Spain

About Dominio Basconcillos: Dominio Basconcillos, near Trevino in the Burgos sub-region of Ribera del Duero, was started by José Maria Basconcillos in 2000 with legendary Ribera winemaker, Tomas Postillon.

The whole bodega is modern, large and surrounded by its own vineyards on the high plateau at 960m, crucial to allowing later ripening and a higher glycerol content in the wines. Using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods and with more Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot planted than their neighbours, this is a top bodega with intentions to be a wine of reference in Ribera del Duero for the future. The Ribera del Duero DO stretches 115km from Valladolid and Peñafiel to Aranda in the east. The substrata is silty clay over limestone with poor alluvial deposits nearer the river and finer chalk at higher altitude. It is on the chalky soils near Trevino that Basconcillos sits. Altitude is important: Basconcillos benefits from cooler temperatures and better diurnal variation. This is a high frost risk area, costs are higher than the world average, and vintages are more variable than in Rioja. However, the intensity of flavours and density of these wines make them more age-worthy and certainly a counterpoint to their famous neighbour, while being ‘Spanish’ in their warmth and generosity, and world class in quality.

Description: Clean and bright. The fine and intense aromas of tempranillo are the first to show, hints of red fruit, raspberry, currant accompanied by elegant toasty aromas. Hints of cocoa and roasted coffee. A creamy finish makes it even more complex if possible.

Alcohol: 14.5%

What the press say: “A family run estate with vineyards over 1000m above sea level this organic estate is eagerly sought after. This pours bright rich purple with ripe fruit and mocha aromas, red fruits hit the palate first then chewy darker blackberries – worth its price point” Leslie Williams, Irish Examiner

Awards: 94 points Guía Vinos Gourmets 2021