Ribera del Duero, 2017

High-toned, primary fruit laced with violet and blackberries wafts from the glass, accompanied by succulent strawberries, black raspberries and supporting notes of vanilla and clove spices. Comforting and silky but at the same time fresh, concentrated without feeling dense, the 2017 at this early stage emphasises beautifully detailed fruit rather than oak, with velvety present tannins. Surely one of the standouts of this troublesome vintage. Production was clipped by approximately 60% thanks to hard spring frosts and then a dry growing season but quality does not appear to be impacted. In fact this will drink earlier than some of the more blockbuster years such as 2015, 2016 and 2010. Aged for 16 months in 50% new barriques.