2020 Rippa Dorii, Ribera del Duero, Crianza (RT91+) Another deeply brooding red built on a fruit and structured style, here the results are more subtle than in the Roble, yet notes of the oak tend to be more pronounced at its current age. Deeply ripe black tinged Ribera fruit is a bit overwhelmed by oaky notes, which frankly isn’t unusual in this part of Spain when wines are youthful. The palate is packed with sweet, succulent fruit, the acids and tannins well balanced. This needs time to come together and reveal its full potential. Drink 2027-2035+ Tasted April 2025
The Rippa Dorri Crianza is 100% Tempranillo, aka Tinta del Pais, and is aged in a combination of 30% French and 70% American oak for 12 months. Interestingly, here they have dialed back the balance of new/used oak to a 50/50 combination. This wine is built for more cellaring than the Roble and with cellar time will outperform it. The question is how significantly?
Rippa Dorii is owned and managed by the Ontañón Family, which is based out of Ribera del Duero. They own selected vineyards in the heart of the Ribera del Duero of the Cuenca de Riaza basin in Burgos province. Their collection of vineyards are planted with Tempranillo and Verdejo, with some plots of old style bush vine plantings. They’re committed to working studiously in the vineyards and dedicated to producing top quality wines. They employ French oak, American oak, Spanish oak and Iberian Pyrenean oak in their quest to produce an unforgettable drink.
