Villacreces - Finca Villacreces 2016

Villacreces – Finca Villacreces 2016 (89 TSW)

Two weeks ago we were cycling through the beautiful vineyards of Bodegas Villacreces in Ribera del Duero. We visited the different plots (60 hectares of vineyards) which are spread over 15 different places. The winery is located right next to Duero, next to the well-known Vega Sicilia in the Golden Mile area. After 1 hour cycling we had a nice tasting in the garden of the winery.

The climate is extremely different, the temperature can go up to 40 degrees, but also fall to 10 degrees below zero. The nearby river; the Duero, ensures that the grapes survive the warm climate. Finca Villacreses is a very popular winery partly thanks to the Pruno wine which offers an unprecedentedly beautiful glass of wine for the money. The fact that it has been repeatedly proclaimed best value wine by the Wine Advocate ofcourse also helps. Other highly recommended wines are the Finca Villacres wine and the cult wine the Nebro (the last two are only made in good years). According to Robert Parker. In fact, these bottles are not sold, they are already distributed before they are distributed.

My notes on the Villacreses.

Mix of 86% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet and a splash of Merlot which has been raised in French oak barrels for 14 months.
In the glass a dark purplish red color.
On the medium+ nose dark plums, cherries with hints of tar, smoke, pepper and coffee.
On the palate dry, full-bodied with loads of dark druit and spices. Still tight tannins and acidity which will soften over te the years. A great red wine to put in the cellar for some years.