Twelve great value Ribera del Duero wines
Ribera del Duero can offer real value for money, says Pedro Ballestero Torres MW, who picks 12 Ribera del Duero wines under £30.
The quality of basic Ribera del Duero has definitely improved; the wines are more balanced; brettanomyces is less widespread; young wines are fresher and fruitier; prices are lower than in pre-2008; and oak is less prominent and more integrated. Now quality, distinctiveness, balance and drinkability are the priorities for producers. The wines are still rich and still powerful, but not the monsters of the past. Ribera’s top wines are characterised more and more by finesse rather than power.
- See below for Pedro Ballestero Torres MW’s great value Ribera del Duero
There is no better time to get to know Ribera del Duero. There are wines at every price range and style, but most are affordable, delivering real value for money. They tend to be suave and rich, with a velvety touch, and very food-friendly. The best wines are made to keep and will improve over time, ranging from a few years to decades. They represent an excellent investment in future pleasure and, increasingly, price. The top wines are truly unique, with a great diversity of expressions – some terroir-driven, others based upon top-quality fruit and long, careful ageing.
Pedro Ballestero Torres MW is Decanter World Wine Awards Regional co-Chair for Spain
Great value Ribera del Duero: Under £30
Finca Villacreces, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2011
94
This wine could also be in my 12 greatest Riberas. Delicious, complex, finely sewn, open. Top quality, and at a bargain price.
2011
Finca VillacrecesRibera del Duero
Bodegas Valduero, Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2012
93
Classic and balanced in style, with good integration of oak aromas. Velvety and suave, this is best enjoyed with food.
2012
Bodegas ValdueroRibera del Duero
Sei Solo, Preludio, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2012
93
With all the character of a terroir wine, sound backbone and open finish. Affordable access point to the great Ribera wines.
2012
Sei SoloRibera del Duero
Bodegas Bohórquez, Cardela, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2012
91
Great expression of Ribera, built on its fruit. Crunchy and delicious – one to drink now and over the next few years.
2012
Bodegas BohórquezRibera del Duero
Alonso del Yerro, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2011
92
Archetypal Ribera, packed with abundant tannins, bountiful fruit and balancing acidity. Both powerful and charming at once.
2011
Alonso del YerroRibera del Duero
Bodegas Pingón, Altamimbre, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2011
91
Very classic style, singing its crianza fruit. Warm, full, savoury and very open. A nice textbook Ribera.
2011
Bodegas PingónRibera del Duero
Baden Numen, Au, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2010
92
With its concentrated ripe fruit aromas, this is rich and dense on the palate. Impressive but very enjoyable. Keep this ambitious wine for at least a few years.
2010
Baden NumenRibera del Duero
Bodegas La Horra, Corimbo, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2012
92
Very clean and precise on the nose, this is a charmingly suave and open wine. Well structured and persistent.
2012
Bodegas La HorraRibera del Duero
Verónica Salgado, Capricho Viñas Viejas Vino de Autor, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2011
91
If you can find this, snap it up. It would be hard to find more complexity and concentration in what would be a £10 wine. Great ambitions, deft winemaking.
2011
Verónica SalgadoRibera del Duero
Aster, Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2010
90
Modern-style crianza, with much fruit and little oxidation. Lively with juicy fruit, very clean and highly pleasurable.
2010
AsterRibera del Duero
Bodegas Protos, Rosado, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2014
90
This historic winery has improved the quality of its entire range. I’m choosing its rosé because of its originality, fruit, balance and charm. A different take on Ribera, offering much enjoyment.
2014
Bodegas ProtosRibera del Duero
Bodegas Valderiz, Ribera del Duero, Castilla y Léon, Spain, 2010
90
Soft, rounded and velvety, with lots of warm fruit and unmistakable crianza notes. Excellent partner for food.
2010
Bodegas ValderizRibera del Duero
