Bodegas Los Astrales Ribera del Duero 2014 Ribera del Duero

Tinto Fino 100%

Produced with grapes from 45 year old vines growing on stony clay soils in Anguix, 50kms east of Valladolid. After a very wet winter, spring was mild so bud break on the vines occurred relatively early. Summer was initially cool, followed by a period of higher than average temperatures and little rain. The relatively high ground water levels supported the vines through this dry, hot period. Shortly before harvest there was an intense storm which helped the maturation of the grapes. At Los Astrales they delayed their harvest, and were rewarded with grapes of great quality and ripeness.

Grapes are sorted by hand and fermented with natural yeasts. The wine is aged for 18 months in French Oak (80%) and American Oak barrels before bottling.

Bodegas Los Astrales was established in 2000 in Anguix, a small village at the start of the Duero valley. Two previous generations of the Romera De La Cruz family had grown grapes in this area, before the decision was taken to build their own winery. They own 29 hectares of vineyards, most of which are planted with Tinto Fino. Their philosophy is "minimal intervention" in both vineyard and winery to produce wines that truly reflect the region and heritage.