2016 Felix Callejo Flores De Callejo Ribera del Duero, Spain
The Callejo family craft some of the finest and brightest Tempranillo’s in the ‘modern Spanish’ movement. The wines are plump, silky textured and full of fruit. The viticulture is organic and everything is done by hand, according to the minimal intervention model; manual harvesting, natural yeast fermentation, plus no fining or filtering.
The vineyards are situated in the northern part of the Ribera del Duero appellation, in the highest part of the Duero valley ( 850 to 930 metres above sea level). The high altitude brings about sharp contrasts of temperature between day and night-time, with swings of over 15ºC, which enhance grape ripening during the day, while the low night temperatures preserve good acidity. This is the Diurnal temperature range which is so vital to great grape growing
The fruit for this wine is hand harvested from organically tended old bush Tempranillo vines (40+ years) or Tinta Fina in the local dialect. Some very fastidious winemaking, including hand sorting of bunches and minimal oak maturation (6 months French Oak) has ensured the quality of the fruit shines through.
In style, it remains unashamedly modern, with a silky core of juicy blackberry and blueberry fruit, some wood spice, focussed tannins and a streak of high-country vibrancy. This is the energy and tension I find so appealing from wines of this region.