Ribera del Duero - Half Dozen
It’s 9am on a May morning in Spain. There’s a biting wind, and we’re quickly getting chilled to the bone, reminisces James Tanner. The sun is bright and we are looking out over a vast landscape of rolling downland. It’s deceiving, because here in the highest part of Ribera del Duero, we’re only 20 metres lower than the top of Scafell Pike. We’re here to see Dominio Basconcillos, and Jairo, (the owner’s son-in-law), Ana (sales), and Ángel (the winemaker) have brought us to this viewpoint to survey their vines. They explain that when the ripening of grapes lower down the Duero Valley (where most of the ‘big’ names are) is blocked by torrid heat, the Tinto Fino grapes up here continue their slow, flavour-developing maturation. Back in the winery, the wines show beautifully precise fruit. Down the road is Abadía de Acón, which is the sort of supplier we like. Firmly in family hands, José Carrasco makes the wines, and his brother Carlos grows the grapes. Only a smidgen lower in altitude, their vines grow at between 800 and 900 metres. In the bodega, we wander through barrels to the sound of Gregorian chants and José – faintly embarrassed – explains that their father always played music to the wines, and he doesn’t like to stop! Music or not, their wines are just lovely.
Vintage may vary depending on availability
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Finca de Altura, Ribera del Duero, Dominio Basconcillos 2024 (organic)
Quantity included: 1
Finca de Altura, Ribera del Duero, Dominio Basconcillos 2024 (organic)
Quantity included: 1Packed full of crunchy black fruit flavours, this characterful wine is a blend of Tempranillo with small amounts of Mazuelo and Cabernet. It is full-bodied with ripe tannins and a long finish.
Spain, Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Red Wine
Tempranillo/Cencibel
100% Tempranillo
Full-bodied
Drink Now
2024
Lamb, Roast
15%
75cl
Vegetarian
Organic
Viña Magna Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Dominio Basconcillos 2021 (organic)
Quantity included: 1
Viña Magna Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Dominio Basconcillos 2021 (organic)
Quantity included: 1A lovely, balanced wine with plenty of red fruits on the palate which has good intensity and some hints of chocolate. Elegant and fresh on the finish. 15 months in oak.
Red Wine
Tempranillo/Cencibel
90% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Full-bodied
Drink Now
2021
15.5%
75cl
Organic
Alto del Cura Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Dominio Basconcillos 2020 (organic)
Quantity included: 1
Alto del Cura Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Dominio Basconcillos 2020 (organic)
Quantity included: 1Ripe, full and rich wine with hints of elderberry on the nose. Warm and mouth-filling with good black fruits - black cherry, plums, liquorice - and silky tannins on the finish.
Spain, Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Red Wine
Tempranillo/Cencibel
85% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
Full-bodied
Drink Now
2020
15.5%
75cl
Organic
Acón Roble Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero 2024
Quantity included: 1
Acón Roble Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero 2024
Quantity included: 1A juicy, accessible wine displaying good cherry fruit, chocolate and liquorice notes, accented with hints of spice. This spends five months in oak which is well integrated.
Spain, Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Red Wine
Tempranillo/Cencibel
100% Tempranillo
Medium-bodied
Drink Now
2024
Pork Casserole
14.5%
75cl
Acón Crianza Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero 2020
Quantity included: 1
Acón Crianza Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero 2020
Quantity included: 1A wine with substance, depth and concentration. Red fruit flavours are overlaid with notes of vanilla, liquorice and leather from 14 months of ageing in oak.
Spain, Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Red Wine
Tempranillo/Cencibel
100% Tempranillo
Full-bodied
Drink Now
2020
14.5%
75cl
Acón Reserva Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero 2019
Quantity included: 1
Acón Reserva Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero 2019
Quantity included: 1This is meaty and intense with silky black fruits backed up with hints of toast, liquorice and smoke. Balanced and long, 18 months in oak.
Spain, Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Red Wine
Tempranillo/Cencibel
85% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Full-bodied
Drink Now
2019
14.5%
75cl
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Spain
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