Ribera del Duero
Pesquera Crianza 2005
Pesqurea has to be one of the most well know producers in Ribera del Duero and introduced many people to the style of wine from the regions. For sure, the juicy, juby fruit that characterises Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero is a long way from daggy oak treatment and the 100 rackings that old school Rioja has as its trademark. I wouldn’t really call this a modern wine these days, but even so even there the fruit shines through and the oak treatment is reasonable.
A classic Pesquera nose of blackberry, blackcurrant, dark cherry with a clay/earth note, violets, some herby undergrowth and a touch of iodine. The usual gamy notes and a bit of cow shed are there too. Smooth in the mouth, but focused and purposeful. The tannins take a while to appear, but when they do they add some texture and a bit of grittiness that is most welcome. More black currant and cherry pie on the palate with a bit of blueberry, a bit of pepper and star anise. This is showing well at the moment, but will fill out over the next 5 years and drink well for 10 after that. 93+ Pts.
Source: Boccaccio Cellars RRP: $48 Closure: Conventional Cork
Web: www.pesqueraafernandez.com
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Great wine Shag, I am so impressed with it after the 04.
I wouldn’t mind having a bottle of the 04 and 05 side by side. A good bottle of the 04 that is!
While I can take a bit of brett in the background, I’ve had a couple of bottles of this establishment’s stuff in the past where it was OTT. Seems to vary bottle to bottle. Certainly I’m not going to try cellaring anything with a whiff of it.
Anyway, I gave up buying it.
Or have they improved hygiene?.
Hi Larry,
Not sure if you have been there or not, but I can’t see how they could clean it up fully. The whole place is made of wood, thousands of barrels etc.
I’ve seen the bottle variation on quite a few vintages (96 and 04 stick out in my mind). The 05 seems a bit more consistent, but as soon as I say that you’ll get a dodgy bottle!
Mumble, Mumble….
In the meantime I just forked the princely sum of $104.44 for 7 bottles from VC with their latest special. 2 screwcapped vedejos. When I get over this flu I’ll know if it’s worth it.
Bugger, thought I had already bought these and then realised it was the 04 I got from B Cellars. Now it looks as if I have to try this, after such a great write up. Can we just have a bad vintage or two in a row worldwide so my credut card can keep up ???
Larry, what are the verdejos called?
Stan, Don’t worry they’re coming, 07 is not great and who knows what 08 will hold?
Con Class. The cheap one is very fruit jubish but pleasant clean and fresh. Not world stopping good for the price.
more info:
DO Rueda
Sitios de Bodegas
por R.E. 5693/VA-Rueda (Valladolid)
Winemaker Ricardo Sanz
12.5%
James Busby the importer - Coles.
And lots of honeysuckle on the nose and palate now I re-taste. Might get a few it.
I’ll have to track these down. Asimov gave the Con Class a big wrap in the NYT in march, he liked it better than TR Basa…
It’s very fresh - I think the cork lets the Basa down. However I think the Basa is a bit drier and more minerally. I will try the more expensive (relatively) Vendimia Excepcional over the weekend.
I tried the Vendimia Excepcional and have to say I prefer the straight Verdejo. But that’s probably personal taste as I’m not a fan of herbal/gooseberry Sav blanc and can detect it at vanishing small traces. Nice and dry, minerally, good length. Both wines are well worth it. Have you tried the Marques de Riscal Rueda?
Yep, the last one I had was the 05: http://www.tintoyblanco.com.au/wine/marques-de-riscal-blanco-2005/