Finca Villacreces, `Pruno` Ribera del Duero
Vintage: 2022
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | FV103A22 | 12 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
| 2022 | FV103D22 | 1 x 300 | Natural Cork | Available |
| 2022 | FV103M22 | 6 x 150 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Described by Robert Parker as “the hidden jewel of Ribera del Duero”, Finca Villacreces forms part of the regions ‘golden mile’ alongside their neighbours Vega Sicilia and Pingus. Located in Quintanilla de Onésimo, this stunning estate was purchased by the Antón family of Izadi in 2003. The wines, made by winemaker Ángel Ortega together with Luis Laso, are deep, dark, and focused in style.
The vineyards of Finca Villacreces follow what is called ‘integrated viticulture’, using canopy management and natural treatments, instead of artificial chemicals. The combination of sand, gravel, shingle, and quartz soils encourage low yields of intensely flavoured grapes (around three tonnes per hectare and only two kilos per vine). The estate’s 64 hectares of vines are planted at 735 metres above sea level. 85% of the vineyards are planted with Tempranillo on sandy soils, which impart an attractive fleshiness to the wines. The remaining vines are 5% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, planted on quartz and shingle, giving more mineral complexity to the blend.
‘Pruno’ was developed with the intention of making a Ribera del Duero that could be enjoyed earlier than their flagship wine. It blends 93% Tempranillo with 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot, aged in second and third-year French oak barrels. The Ribera del Duero is more concentrated, with excellent depth and complexity, complemented by red and black fruit notes and hints of spice. ‘Nebro’, the single-vineyard wine, is named after the 1.2-hectare site of the estate’s oldest Tempranillo vines, planted in 1917, three metres from Vega Sicilia. This wine is produced only in exceptional vintages and in very limited quantities (just five barrels).
Vineyards
Grapes for `Pruno` are only taken from Finca Villacreces’ own vineyards, from slightly younger vines. The vineyards have a mixture of soils: sandy, gravel, shingle and quartz, planted with about 93% Tempranillo (mostly on the sandy vineyards, which give an attractive fleshiness to the wines) and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon (mostly on the quartz and shingle, giving more mineral complexity) and 1% Merlot. Organic practises are used as much as possible and the close proximity of the river helps protect against frost. Work is currently being undertaken in the vineyards to raise the height of the canopy to further increase the health of the grapes.
Vintage
The 2022 vintage began with several wet days in spring and mild temperatures, which delayed budburst by about 10 days. A heatwave arrived in mid-May which allowed the vineyard to catch up in it's cycle, leading to flowering at the usual time. The heatwaves continued into a very dry summer, with only a few instances of rain, which enabled the grapes to enjoy a long and successful ripening season. The harvest began on 19th September and was of excellent quality.
Vinification
All varieties were fermented separately in small stainless-steel tanks. They were then aged separately in second and third-year French oak barrels (Darnajou, Taransaud, Demptos and Berthomieu) for 10 months, after which the final blend was assembled and the wine bottled.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
This wine is deep red in colour. Aromas of red berry fruit are married with notes of balsamic and toffee from French oak ageing. The fruit-driven palate is complemented by notes of chocolate with well-integrated tannins and a juicy finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Acidity
6.12 g/l
Residual Sugar
1.3 g/l
pH
3.73
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finca Villacreces | Ribera del Duero | FV101 | R | Factsheet | |
| `Nebro` Ribera del Duero | FV102 | R | Factsheet |