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O. Fournier Ribera Del Duero Spiga 2009 750ml

size
750ml
country
Spain
appellation
Ribera Del Duero
WA
91
Additional vintages
2009 2007
WA
91
Rated 91 by Wine Advocate
The 2009 Alfa Spiga is pure Tempranillo from low-yielding, older vineyards fermented in oak vats and aged for 20 months in barriques, mostly French but there are some 20% from Central Europe. 2009 was a warm, ripe vintage that produced very healthy grapes. The nose is still quite oaky, with plenty of sweet spices, hints of dark chocolate and coffee. The palate reveals abundant, fine-grained tannins that provide for a chalky texture. They used new oak vats for the fermentation of the grapes from head-pruned vines planted in 1950. There is good stuff in there, fresher than what the nose points out and with less influence from the barrel. These vines naturally produce very low yields and the wines are concentrated by nature. It improves with time in the glass and it should do similarly in bottle. 5,400 bottles were filled.
Image of bottle
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O. Fournier Ribera Del Duero Spiga 2009 750ml

SKU 779664
Out of Stock
More Details
Winery O. Fournier
barrel

Vintage: 2009

Despite less than ideal climatic conditions, featuring storms which threatened an otherwise perfect year, most parts of California had an excellent year for viticulture. Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs were picked at optimum ripeness, and Californian white wine was just about as good as it could be. Surprises and overcoming difficulties summed up much of the United States' wine industry in 2009, and many of the results from Oregon, Washington State and all over California speak for themselves, with the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon grapes having developed healthy, thick skins and thus plenty of character and distinction. Elsewhere in the New World, South Africa had a very good year in 2009, and wineries across the cape of the African continent are proclaiming it a truly great vintage. In most of Europe, fine weather and punctual ripening periods produced some excellent wines, with many of the best coming out of France's Bordeaux and the surrounding regions. Merlot had an exceptionally good year in France, and wineries are proclaiming that the 2009 Merlot harvest was one of the best in living memory. Indeed, across most of France, ripening was relatively even, and red wine grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Syrah and others were reportedly highly characterful, with plenty of the required tannin levels with which to make high quality wines. Italy, too, had a very good 2009. Piedmont reported extremely favorable conditions throughout 2009, and their signature Nebbiolo grapes were more or less perfect when harvested, having benefited from the slight drop in temperature at the end of their ripening period. Veneto, too, had an enviable year, producing superb Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay wines in 2009.
green grapes

Varietal: Tempranillo

Without any doubt, the flagship grape varietal of Spain is the Tempranillo. This fine grape varietal has since been grown in several other countries around the world, and continues to be respected and admired for its deep ruby red color, its strong tannins, and the complex and delicious flavors it carries so well. Plum, vanilla, leather, tobacco and herb are just some of the characteristic flavors found in this black skinned grape varietal, and its power and fullness of features makes it a common grape for use in blended wines of exceptional quality. Tempranillo grapes thrive best in regions with a combination of bright, hot sunshine, and cooling breezes, where they can ripen fully and then be aged in oak barrels to mellow, become more rounded and allow their fascinating nature to come forward.
barrel

Region: Castilla Y Leon

Castilla y Leon is one of the oldest wine regions in Europe, and is a fascinating area for those passionate about the finest Spanish wines. For centuries, Castilla y Leon has attracted attention, due to its fascinating history, stunning architecture and interesting food and wine traditions. The vast plain of Castilla y Leon has developed a culture which is all its own, and the wines which have been made for centuries in the historic wineries of the region do all they can to reflect this. As such, many of the most distinctively 'Spanish' wines of the country hail from this region, including those made with classic Spanish grapes, such as the robust and spicy Tempranillo, or the more fruity, aromatic white Verdejo and Viura varietals.
fields

Country: Spain

Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.