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A personal project by Isaac Fernàndez Montaño, one of Spain's most respected oenologists, Petit Vega showcases the depth and power of high-altitude Tempranillo grown on limestone soils at nearly 900m. After a little time in the glass, the nose unfolds with cassis, blueberry coulis, violet, and fresh tobacco, underpinned by hints of liquorice, mocha, and dark chocolate. It's a vibrant and youthful wine, with a rich, mouth-coating texture. A little time in the decanter allows its layers of ripe, sweet-edged fruit and spicy oak to shine, delivering a wine of generosity, structure, and depth.
The Duero valley cuts a swathe across central northern Spain all the way to Portugal where it is called the Douro and is famous as the home of port. On the Spanish side, a relatively new but significant and exciting area for wine production has grown up around the city of Valladolid and was granted DO status in 1982. Ribera del Duero's potential was spotted long before in the middle of the 19th century at Bodegas Vega Sicilia, Spain's undisputed equivalent of a first growth Claret. High above sea-level, Ribera del Duero is an area of extreme temperatures with the potential to produce deep-coloured, intensely flavoured red wines from tempranillo grapes (known locally as tinto fino). The picture is not straightforward as some producers have started favouring an overly-extracted style which appeals to certain elements of the media. Additionally, often producers do not own their own vineyards, so the grape growers have a stranglehold on what to charge for their grapes and wine prices have risen dramatically as a result. However, many producers are making outstanding wines, which are still great value for money.
