Rioja/Ribera del Duero Flashcards
2018
Lower than average alcohol levels, and higher than average yields. “Good” officially (not top rank). Similar in Ribera, where cooler conditions created fresher and lighter style.
2017
One of the toughest years in living memory, with frost and drought reducing yields by 25% at least. Leaving wine with high alc, tannin and extraction. Approach with caution.
2016
Unlike Catalunya, Rioja enjoyed an abundant harvest. Quality is excellent, with modest alcohol, full ripeness, relatively light tannins, good aromatic range and no bitterness. Best recent vintage. In Ribera del Duero, outlook positive, with quality as strong as ‘15
2015
Ribera was hot and dry. Old vines did better than younger. Volume was down from ‘14 by up to a third. Low nitrogen levels led to struggling ferments, but flavor ripeness is very high, with soft tannins, and high potential alcohol. Alcohol also higher in alcohol in Rioja, again with powerful concentration and richness. Short, early harvest reflected the ripeness of the crop. Berries were small across region, with higher, cooler vineyards of Rioja showing especially high quality.
2014
In Rioja, better quality than ‘13, despite some grey rot in final week of harvest. Ribera was fresh and lively.
2013
Despite cool, wet start to the year, a long dry summer in Ribera heralded full fruit ripeness at harvest, with below average temps promising fine flavor development. Frequent bouts of wet weather in Rioja, together with cold spring, resulted in some uneven ripening and delayed harvest that slipped into Nov. in some parts, yet yields were slightly up from ‘12
2012
A weird year of weather in Spain. Fifth consecutive small vintage, thanks in large part to dry conditions. Resultant small berries harvested in Rioja are likely to make wines of great concentration and high tannin, but of limited ageability. Ribera crop was also shrunk by drought but producers there are a little more optimistic about eventual quality
2011
Hot and heat-stressed for the vines in Rioja with lower acidity than average but powerful, concentrated wines of good quality. Similarly hot n Ribbera, giving powerful intensity and smooth, soft tannins.
2010
Exceptional for Ribera with no excessive weather pattern, uniform ripeness and quality as promising as ‘04. Good quality in Rioja also, considered better than ‘09
2009
Very hot conditions gave average temps above infamous ‘03 vintage. However, timely rains in Rioja and Ribera relieved the vines and rescued the vintage. Very good quality.
2008
Very good quality for Rioja, with favourable weather throughout autumn. In Ribera, temps were cooler than normal, giving a slow, balanced ripening process and elegant wines
2007
After miserable summer, froston Sept 24 decimated crop from many young Ribera vineyards. Most grapes struggled to ripen, but late pickers were rewarded. Not a stellar year.
2006
Some spring hail in Rioja. Hot summers with some drought stress. Has not lived up to the two previous vintages.
2005
Another good vintage with high temps but with just enough rain
2004
Very good year, especially for Rioja, with wines that should mostly be drunk before their 20th birthday
2003
Small, early, drought plagued harvest of often unbalanced wines.
2002
Exceptionally cold winter and spring was followed by nasty wet weather during summer - disastrous for both quality and quantity. Rain persisted even during harvest. Truly a severe test for both regions.
2001
Smaller-than-usual crop b/c of spring frosts but distinctly superior quality accentuated in some cases by further deliberate crop thinning. Some very fine wines that are maturing magnificently.
2000
Record crop levels and extremely variable quality with exceptionally high summer temps and in many cases a lack of concentration. Some very good wines from Ribera though
1999
April frost in Rioja delayed ripening of grapes that suffered thanks to summer rains. Better quality in Ribera, however, although harvest rain reduced acidity. Good quality but not quite as good as ‘98
1998
Despite spring frosts, yields were still too high to ripen some grapes sufficiently in Ribera. Quality was also Rioja’s strong suit
1997
Rain at harvest. Not glorious
1996
Particularly. successful in Ribera, where ripe, relatively friendly wines were made
1995
Another frost-shrunk crop in Ribera, although the grapes were riper and probably better balanced than in 1994. Rioja’s bodegas, on the other hand, were swollen by enormous harvest of ripe, healthy grapes.
1994
Quality isn’t a problem but quantity is after spring frosts and summer drought. Some very nice wines indeed
1993
Harvest rains again. Good but not great seems the rule
1992
Looked good until prolonged rains, which diluted grapes and encouraged rot. Early maturing, should have been drunk.
1991
Excellent year in Spain, only a small crop but impressive weight and structure
1990
Another large and fine quality crop in all areas
1989
Plenty of rich and charming wines from both regions
1986
Good in Rioja but outshone by Riberas of complexity and power
