Cruz de Alba Ribera del Duero Crianza 2021 vs Ramon Bilbao Rioja Reserva 2018
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 | Tempranillo |
| 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 Reserva 2018
' 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. Reserva is a wine that perfectly blends the classic elements of Rioja, like Tempranillo and American oak, with the unique personality and style of Ramon Bilbao. It has a distinct complexity, with red fruit aromas and a balanced, elegant oak character. The wine is fresh with well-integrated acidity, a full body, a long finish, and smooth tannins. The grapes were macerated for 4 days before fermenting for 18 days. The malolactic fermentation took place in concrete tanks, followed by 20 months of aging in American oak barrels. After that, the wine was aged in the bottle to reach perfect harmony before being released. The season had a long, harsh, and rainy winter, causing a 15-day delay compared to other years. Despite this, the grapes reached perfect ripeness and balance, and the harvest started in early September. Production was 10% higher than average, and the vintage was rated ''Good'' by the Regulatory Council. '
Prices and availability reflect the latest tracked merchant checks and may change before checkout.