Description

My 2023 Ribera del Duero Special Report is based on a 13-day, fact-finding visit to the region in September 2023.  All in all, I tasted 552 wines from a record 181 bodegas, visiting nearly half of them in person. I also spent three mornings visiting vineyards with César Maté of Marta Maté, Jesús and Sara Sastre of Hermanos Sastre and Dani Pérez of Hermanos Pérez Pascuas.

Ribera del Duero is predominantly a red wine region, of course, with Tinto Fino, or Tempranillo, the dominant grape. But it also makes rosés and, since the 2019 vintage, has included white wines based on the local Albillo Mayor grape under its Denominación de Origen. There are a record number of whites and claretes in this year’s report, as well as some fantastic reds, most notably from the five-star 2021 and 2019 vintages.

One hundred wines scored 94 points or more. One achieved 99 points and three 98 points. Several of my top wines are among the most famous (and expensive) brands in Spain. But the report also includes a number of wines at very affordable prices, as well as a handful of exciting new discoveries. It’s great to watch the DO evolve with every vintage.

As well as 386 tasting notes, my comprehensive, 109-page report includes an in-depth analysis of history, terroir, climate change and recent vintages, suggestions for further reading and tips on where to eat, drink and stay in the region.