Francisco Barona Ribera del Duero 2023 (750ml) *
Product price
$74.99
Description
Old vines are the story here, a field blend drawn from centenary parcels planted between 1908 and 1948, mostly Tempranillo alongside some Garnacha and the white Albillo Mayor. Made in Ribera del Duero in Castilla y León, this red vintage fermented in barrel and then spent fourteen months in new French oak. It lands medium-bodied, its limestone-driven acidity giving the wine a taut, concentrated frame rather than sheer weight.
Around that framework the fruit builds in layers: smoky dark berries and black forest character, licorice, cacao nib, a savory suggestion of cured meat, and the wild herbal lift of garrigue. Toasty aromatics carry through to a fleshy mid-palate, where robust fruit concentration is smoothed by ripe, polished tannins. The texture is fluid and the finish long and persistent. It drinks beautifully now, and
Product Details
| Category | Wine |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Castilla y Leon |
| Subregion | Ribera del Duero |
| Varietal | Tempranillo |
| Producer | Francisco Barona |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 750 ML |
| Subtype | Still |
Expert Reviews
From a field blend of estate centenary vineyards planted between 1908 and 1948 to mostly Tempranillo, with some Garnacha and Albillo Mayor, the 2023 spent 14 months in new French oak after fermenting in barrel. Medium-bodied, the limestone soils give it acidity and tension, a concentrated framework around which smoky dark fruit, cacao nib, meat, and garrigue build depth and layers of intensity. This is drinking incredibly now but should be beyond amazing for a solid 10-15 years, if not more. A fantastic entry into Francisco Barona’s canon, it’s an inspiring testament to the power of old vines under the right care. (Jeb Dunnuck, July 2025)
Liquorice and black forest fruit combined with toasty, smoky aromas. Robust fruit concentration, which is very well balanced by the fleshy mid-palate and smooth tannins. Fluid texture, with a long length and persistence of flavour. (Decanter, June 2025)
The 2023 Francisco Barona Blanco from Ribera del Duero was fermented and aged on its lees in oak without intervention. Oak leads the nose, followed by herbal notes of pennyroyal and fennel, with a hint of lime and green apple. The palate is creamy and textured, showing a subtle chalky touch and flavors of white fruit. It offers good energy and presence. (Vinous)