Cruz de Alba Ribera del Duero Crianza 2021 vs Ramon Bilbao Rioja Limite Sur Garnacha 2021
Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications.
| Availability | In stock | In stock |
|---|---|---|
| Best current price | £19.96 | £19.96 |
| Current stockists | 1 merchant | 1 merchant |
| Producer | Cruz De Alba | Ramon Bilbao |
| Style | Red | Red |
| Grape | Tempranillo | Garnacha |
| Region | Ribera del Duero | Rioja |
| Country | Spain | Spain |
| Size | 750ml | 750ml |
| Where to buy |
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Cruz de Alba Ribera del Duero Crianza 2021
' Cruz de Alba is a renowned biodynamic estate located in the heart of Ribera del Duero. The estate focuses on sustainable viticulture, respecting nature and promoting balance within the vineyard ecosystem. The vines grow in sandy soils, benefiting from the unique microclimate of the region. Cruz de Alba produces high-quality wines that reflect the natural harmony of the land, combining tradition and innovation in every bottle. In the winery, what happens in the vineyard is reflected. Fermentations were quick, filling the winery with fruity and balsamic aromas like never before. Fermentation was done at 24.5ºC, followed by 15 months in French oak barrels (one third new, one third one-year-old, and one third two-year-old), creating harmonious, elegant wines that are a true joy for the senses. In 2021, the Filomena storm brought freezing temperatures and rare snowfalls to the area. That year was unusually cold, and we had 50 liters more rain than the typical 450 liters. Despite this, the vines budded 5 days earlier than usual, on April 29th. A warm May helped the vines grow quickly, but a hailstorm on May 30th caused damage. Treatments with valerian and basalt helped the vines recover. The grapes were harvested during the El Pilar holiday, producing grapes with balanced flavor, good acidity, and a velvety texture. '
Ramon Bilbao Rioja Limite Sur Garnacha 2021
Ramon Bilbao is a renowned Spanish winery based in Rioja, known for producing high-quality wines that blend tradition with innovation. Established in 1924, the winery specializes in crafting elegant, complex wines, with a focus on Tempranillo grapes. Their top-tier wine, Mirto, is made from old vines in select vineyards and is produced only in exceptional years, reflecting the excellence and craftsmanship that define the Ramon Bilbao legacy. The vineyards were planted in 1977 and 2014, located in the highest part of eastern La Rioja, with northern exposure and a continental-Atlantic climate at an altitude of 500-600 meters. The soils are petrocálcic, made up of gravel, sand, and silt, with moderate to low water retention depending on the sand content. Pre-fermentation maceration was used to preserve floral aromas and extract color. Fermentation took place in concrete (with a portion of stems added for freshness and tannin) at 24ºC. The wine was aged in various materials: 1/3 in amphoras, 1/3 in 600L barrels, and 1/3 in concrete. It was then blended and aged in 225-liter French oak barrels for 8 months. The 2020 harvest in Rioja Oriental went smoothly, thanks to lower rainfall and reduced risk of fungal growth. The main challenge was managing high humidity, especially in organic vineyards, where natural treatments were used. A warm summer accelerated ripening, leading to an early harvest in August.
Prices and availability reflect the latest tracked merchant checks and may change before checkout.