A few weeks ago, I was able to spend some time hanging out on the 33rd floor of the W Lakeshore tasting wines from Ribera del Duero with April Cullom and the Drink Ribera team. 
We started off with a presentation about Ribera and a special tasting of two wines from Vega Sicilia, one of Spain’s most prestigious wineries. Afterwards there were over 100 different wines from all over Ribera available to taste, with about forty or so of us perusing the tables, and even Brian Duncan of Bin 36 dropped by for awhile.
Ribera produces virtually all of their wines from Spain’s most important grape, Tempranillo, with only occasional support from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Locally known as Tinto Fino, or Tinto del Pais, Tempranillo actually goes by about 7 different names throughout Spain, which certainly proves how integrated it is into Spain’s oenological identity.
And Ribera’s geography is ideal for growing spectacular Tempranillo. It has the perfect balance of altitude, extreme temperature variation, soils, and a short growing season to produce a complexity and range of flavors that the grape isn’t able to achieve anywhere else in the world. And great grapes mean great wine. 
Unlike some of the more well known regions in Spain, such as Rioja or Cava, the wines of Ribera del Duero cost a little more than the $8-$10 bottle you may be used to.
But what you find in the $15-$20 Robles and Crianzas from Ribera is a high quality to price ratio that is simply hard to match in any other region or country of the world. You may be spending a little more than normal, but you are certainly getting your money’s worth.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the wines I tasted:
Bodegas Lambuena
2008 Rosado Seleccíon A Tempranillo rosé, perfect summertime juice. Delicious, floral yet fruity nose. Bursting with fresh strawberry and pear on the palate. (unfortunately, currently not available in the Chicago market.)
Bodegas Gormaz
2008 Vina Gormaz Tempranillo You gotta pronounce this Vinya Gormath to truly get it’s Spanish heart. One of the few $10 bottles you’ll find in Ribera. Solid cherry, and blackberry fruit. A little tannin on the finish. A decent bottle of wine.
Figuero
2006 Roble As Le Wine Buff Megan Wiig likes to say, “Roble means oak, but in Ribera a wine named oak means it actually has less oak.” This is a definite new world wine, the french oak comes through with vanilla and spice. Strong dark fruits and a good structure, a great finish for such a young wine. Highly recommend. ($21)
Torres
2006 Celeste Very new world, spicy with lots of black cherry. Full bodied, strong wine, loved it. ($16)
You can find get more information on the Drink Ribera website if you’re interested, but I suggest getting a bottle first, because there’s nothing like a little juice to pair with your interwebz!
