2015 BODEGAS PINEA “17” by PINEA RIBERA del DUERO

Every wine tells a story, and the best will vividly depict the characters (or characteristics) of the vintage, terroir, weather, as well as the history of the producer that made it.  The 17 by Pinea has a story so rich, that it’s more like a novel… The wine was originally created to be served at Pro Golfer Sergio Garcia’s wedding, but the wine was such a crowd-pleaser, that it inspired a new wine for Pinea, one of Spain’s top-producers.  It’s made from the younger vines from their Estate Vineyards.  Pinea’s flagship Ribera de Duero retails for around $150 and is one of the top wines in Spain… Both wines are made by Isaac Fernandez, whom the Wine Spectator dubbed One of Spain’s brightest young winemakers.  Isaac trained under his uncle  Mariano Garcia, former head winemaker at Vega Sicillia and is one of the most iconic winemakers in Spain.  The wine blends old-world power and antiquity with new-world styled fruit and lush textures that make it incredibly appealing.

The winery is located in the heart of Ribera del Duero, and their high-elevation and dry-farmed vineyards are grown in chalky sand and limestone that have deep, healthy root systems.  The weather is extreme with snowy winters and hot summers, and the vines there produce powerfully concentrated fruit with a remarkable sense of place.  The blend is 100% Tempranillo, which is Spain’s most iconic grape and revered for producing full-bodied red wines.  If you love big, rich red wines that offer unimaginable bang-for-your-buck, this one’s definitely for you.