Spain Flashcards
2020
Rioja:
WS: 89-91
Hot year, fresh and approachable
Ribero del Duero
WS: 92-95
Ripe and balanced
2019
Rioja
WS: 91
Focused wines with aging potential
Ribero del Duero
WS: 92
Warm year, concentrated wines
2018
Rioja
WS: 89
Cool year, inconsistent
Ribero del Duero
WS: 90
Cool year, fresh style
2017
Rioja
WS: 87
Very difficult year, inconsistent wines
Frost = elevated alcohol, tannin and extraction
Ribero del Duero
WS: 87
FROST led to thick and tough wines
2016
Rioja
WS: 91
Warm year, structured wines
Quality is excellent, with modest alcohol, full ripeness, relatively light tannin
Ribero del Duero
WS: 93
Ripe and structured wines
Best vintages from 2016-2020
2016
Worst vintages from 2016-2020
2017
2015
Rioja
WS: 91
Hot and dry, structured reds, some hot
Ribera del Duero
WS: 92
Hot and dry, powerful wines, some jammy
2014
Rioja
WS: 89
Cool growing season, fresh and savory
Ribera del Duero
WS: 92
Rain, fresh and savory
2013
Rioja
WS: 89
Cool and wet, green and diluted wines
Ribera del Duero
WS: 84
Cool growing season, light and diluted wines
2012
Rioja
WS: 90
Drought reduced yields; powerful wines, but some are clumsy
Ribera del Duero
WS: 91
Concentrated but inconsistent
2011
Rioja
WS: 89
Dry and sunny, ripe wines, power, concentrated
Ribera del Duero
WS: 91
Hot and dry, powerful wines with balance
Best vintages 2011-2015
2015
2010
Rioja
WS: 94
Ripe, balanced wines, fresh and focused
Ribera del Duero
WS: 94
Ripe and balanced, fresh and firm
Exceptional across the board
Worst vintages 2011-2015
2013 and 2014 Rioja both cool
2011 = hot
2013 Ribera
2009
Rioja
WS: 91
WS: 92
Very hot - average conditions over 2003. Timely rain key in saving the crop. Ultimately, the quality is very good.
2008
Rioja
WS: 88
Ribera del Duero
WS: 87
Excellent quality in Rioja says JR.
Cooler season than normal in Ribera, yielding balanced, elegant wines.
2007
Rioja
WS: 84
Ribera del Duero
WS: 86
Difficult year; Ribera del Duero crop decimated by hail in September. Late picked wines do better, but overall not a great year.
2006
Rioja
WS: 82
Ribera del Duero
WS: 88
Spring hail in Rioja; hot summer, drought stress. Not up to the same quality as 2004 or 2005.
Best vintages 2005-2009
2005
Worst vintages 2005-2009
2007
Worst vintages 2011-2015
2013 and 2014 Rioja both cool
2011 = hot
2013 Ribera
2004
Rioja
WS: 93
Balanced, with ripe black fruit flavors and lively acidity
Excellent, especially in Rioja.
Ribera del Duero
WS: 96
Powerful yet balanced, with deep, pure fruit
2005
Rioja
WS: 93
Lively, balanced and graceful; firm yet expressive
Excellent, hot but well balance
Ribera del Duero
WS: 95
Assertive wines with chewy tannins; the best have great depth
