Ribera del Duero is a prestigious wine region in northern Spain known for producing exceptional red wines from the Tempranillo grape variety. Here are some key points about this region:
Climate and Geography
Located along the Duero River in the northern plateau of Spain, spanning parts of Castile and León. Continental climate with hot, dry summers (+107F/18” of rain) and cold winters (-4F), with a large day-night temperature variation. Vineyards are planted at high altitudes of 700-1000 meters above sea levelSoils are predominantly limestone and alluvial with some gravel and clay . Sounds like a great place for a cement factory😊 Otherwise very reminiscent of Khaketi in Georgia.
Wines and Grapes
Tempranillo (locally called Tinto Fino or Tinto del País) is the primary red grape, comprising at least 75% of the blend. The wine reviewed here is 100% Tempranillo. Wines are full-bodied with intense color, high tannins, and flavors of dark fruits, spice, and smoke. Aged wines (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva) are highly prized for their complexity and aging potential
History and Producers
Winemaking in the region dates back over 2000 years, but the DO was established in 1982
Vega Sicilia is the most renowned and historic producer, with others like Pingus and Pesquera gaining fame in the 1980sProducers like Alejandro Fernández (Pesquera) and Peter Sisseck (Pingus) helped establish the region's modern style of powerful, oak-aged reds. Many producers now focus on expressing terroir and making more balanced wines with less oak influence In summary, Ribera del Duero is an esteemed Spanish wine region celebrated for its high-quality, age-worthy Tempranillo wines that expertly balance power, structure, and elegance, reflecting the region's unique terroir.
Viña Solorca is a winery located in the prestigious Ribera del Duero region of Spain, known for producing high-quality red wines from the Tempranillo grape variety.
Winemaking
Viña Solorca focuses on crafting wines from 100% Tempranillo grapes, locally known as Tinto Fino or Tinto del País. The grapes are sourced from the winery's own vineyards with vines averaging 30-40 years old. They produce a range of wines including a Crianza, which undergoes aging in oak barrels.
Wine Styles
Their wines are known for displaying complex and spicy aromas from oak aging. The Crianza exhibits a deep garnet red color with brick-red tones on the rim, indicating maturity.
Terroir and Viticulture
The vineyards are located in the Ribera del Duero DO, with a continental climate and high altitude around 700-1000 meters. The soils are predominantly limestone and alluvial, contributing to the wines' character. Viña Solorca focuses on expressing the unique terroir of Ribera del Duero in their wines In summary, Viña Solorca is a respected producer in Ribera del Duero, crafting complex and age-worthy Tempranillo wines that showcase the region's terroir and winemaking traditions, with a focus on quality and expressing the character of their old vine vineyards.
www.bodegassolorca.com
What COSTCO says: Kirkland Signature Gran Reserva Ribera Del Duero is made with 100% Tempranillo grapes that have been hand picked and selected from ancient bush vines. This complex Gran Reserva wine has been aged for more than 5 years. It is aged in French Oak barrels for 13 months, then transferred to American Oak barrelsa and aged for a further 25 months. Finally the wine is bottled and aged for an additional 24 months prior to release. Bright and clean with explosive aromas. Notes of velvety blackberries and minerals
