Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/33511
Ribera Connect! A s a wine region gains greater exposure world- wide, what was once obscure starts to enter the mainstream. That offers a newer opportunity for adventuresome importers/distributors looking to feature boutique labels—and Ribera del Duero has as many interesting producers as the Milky Way has stars. Despite growing Tempranillo almost exclusively, the variety of high-elevation micro-climates and fi erce, proud individuality of the Spanish winemakers means Wineries Currently Seeking Importers Bonito Rodrigo S.L. 2006 12 Tablas Aged 12 months in 50/50 French and American oak. Lighter ruby color, and a softer, dry, more “French” palate of stewed fruits, wood and cocoa. Parramo Arroyo 2005 Eremus Crianza Aged 16 months in 50% French, 50% American oak, this has a deep dark cherry color with a purple halo, nose of ripe harvest fruits, dry and dusty palate, with rich fi gs and spices. Bodega San Mames 2009 Doble R This roble (aged fi ve months in 80% French, 20% American oak) has a rich ruby color, with a palate of ripe black cherry, tobacco, leather, dark roast coffee; fi rm tannins, and a pepper fi nish. every Ribera wine has its own identity—some so dif- ferent from the next as to be barely recognizable as the same varietal, never mind from the same region. Some 95% of Ribera wines are estate bottlings—if not single- vineyard releases (one of them, a standout, is even from a single vine!)—promoting a dramatically wide variation, and these new entries are perfect examples of that. Capitalizing on today’s increasingly digital world, Spain comes to U.S. buyers via the innovative Ribera del Duero website: www.drinkriberawine.com. There, importers and distributors can tap into all of the region’s resources remotely, with plenty of information about producers and specifi c labels to help make your buying decisions easier. In the meantime, take a look at some of THE TASTING PANEL’s favorite not-yet-imported wines. Here’s a chance for innovative importers to add something unique to their portfolios. Bodegas Pinna Fidelis 2006 Reserva Crianza with a woody, dried fl oral nose and a palate of deep oak, caramel, vanilla, paella vegetables. (6,000 bottles only.) Bodegas Bodegas El Lagar de Isilla S.A. 2007 El Lagar de Isilla Crianza Bright strawberry nose, soft tannins, rich fruit, game meats, bell pepper–seeds fi nish. Bodegas Diez Llorente S.L.L. 2009 Señorio de Brenda Joven with a rich, deep color, big tomatillo nose, beefy tomato notes on the palate, dry fi nish. Lynus Viñedos y Bodegas S.L. 2006 Pagos del Infante Aged 12 months, 80% French, 20% American oak. Rich palate of stewed fruits, dry black peppery fi nish. Bodegas Valduero 2007 Una Cepa Una Cepa comes from one single vine—as micro as it gets! Aged 14 months in barrel, with a perfumey nose of incense and spice and a velvety palate of fruit and just a little oak, with a soft, dry. Captivating. Should age very nicely.