The British critic, journalist and expert applauds the creativity, diversity and complexity of Ribera del Duero and celebrates the historic moment he is witnessing.
The MW publishes its Ribera del Duero Top 100 wines after tasting nearly 600 wines from 160 wineries
He ventured it in his previous visit to Ribera del Duero and certifies it after what he defines as an "exciting experience in a historic moment". Tim Atkin MW has no doubts: "Ribera del Duero is one of the great Appellations of Origin in the world, it is undergoing an authentic creative revolution, and its evolution is exciting".
The British expert, one of the greats of the international scene, confesses to have enjoyed more than ever during his stay in the DO, coinciding precisely with the last harvest. Tim Atkin tasted 578 wines from 160 wineries in Ribera del Duero. He has visited sixty of them, has delved into the complexity of the terroir, has made contact with winemakers and winemakers and has enjoyed the gastronomy and heritage. And he is satisfied and delighted. He reflects it in his Top 100 Ribera del Duero. In the DO, things are being done well and will be even more exceptional in the future, because the professionals are demonstrating an expert knowledge of the climate, the diversity of the terroir, the potential of the grapes, the different sites. In short, of the complexity of Ribera del Duero, a unique and inimitable reality, with absolutely extreme characteristics, with a short but intense ripening period, with a rebellious and unpredictable climatology. "I have enjoyed enormously, it has been my longest visit and it has helped me to better understand the work done by the professionals of the DO. I have acquired great knowledge to understand even better the particularities of the terroir and the climate. I have witnessed a harvest under extreme weather conditions. A challenging harvest for everyone involved, but the winegrowers and winemakers know well how to face this adversity. Climate change is a reality," says MW.
The report published by the British critic and journalist reflects precisely this reality of the Appellation of Origin: the great variations from one vintage to another and the different expressions of the grapes, product of the diversity of soils and altitude. In general terms, after this intense immersion in Ribera del Duero, the longest he has done, he considers that the appellation has its own style, producing elegant, fresh, balanced wines, with a great amount of fruit and good acidity.
