Deep ruby color; dark cherry, blackberry, plum, black fruits, licorice, oak spice, forest floor on the nose and palate.
Dry (2.4 g/L RS); tannic pucker until you decant—which is recommended on the label—then smooths out, providing structure instead of irritation; medium acidy (3.75 pH; 5.0-5.5 g/L TA). Medium body. 100% tinta del país (tempranillo). The 2016 season was relatively uneventful. A dry winter was followed by mild temperatures through the growth cycle with no pests or disease pressures. The mild weather pushed hand harvesting back to late September and mid-October, making it one of the longest in Ribera del Duero history and judged as one of the best in Spanish history.
The grapesvines extend across 124 acres of the Finca El Pinar estate. Vineyard planted exclusively in tinta del país vines with average age of 50 years. Vines are planted in goblet style and wire-trained. Grapes underwent cold maceration using dry ice to avoid oxygen and sweeten the tannins. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and wooden vats; malolactic conversion in barrels with frequent bâtonnage. Aged 15 months in new French oak barrels. 14% ABV
Dominio Fournier is located in the heart of Ribera del Duero in Berlangas de Roa in the province of Burgos. The winery was founded in 1960, 22 years before the Ribera del Duero DO was established. In 2019, the estate was acquired by the González Byass family, makers of Tio Pepe sherry and a major force in Spanish winemaking.
Marian Santamaría is the winemaker, assisted by Laura Terrazas Rodríguez. Santamaría began her career at Dominio Fournier more than 15 years ago, then worked at some of the most important regions in Spain—Toro, Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla y León o Rueda, and currently is in charge of the prestigious Beronia Rueda cellars in addition to her position as the chief winemaker at Dominio Fournier. Laura Terrazas Rodríguez worked for the Regulatory Board of the Ribera del Duero D.O, and for several major wine cellars in the region. She has been assistant wine maker at Dominio Fournier for more than a dozen years.
Dominio Fournier Reserva Ribera del Duero 2016 is superb wine from one of the finest vintages in Ribera del Duero history. Smooth, dark-fruit, astonishingly delicious after maker-recommended decanting. Very good value if you can find this vintage, but Dominio Fournier consistently produces this winning wine—I have praised later vintages—so don’t hesitate to give it a go whatever the vintage. $47
Pairing—Grilled ribeye, New York strip with rosemary and garlic; barbecued beef ribs; braised beef short ribs; herb-crusted roast lamb with roasted vegetables; baby back ribs, pulled pork. Wild game, venison, wild boar, hearty beef chili with Mexican spices, wild turkey, pheasant, duck. Pulled pork tacos with mole and chili sauce; Moroccan tagines, spiced stews. Cheese—Aged manchego, aged cheddar, idiazabal (Spanish sheep’s-milk cheese with smoky notes), zamorano; gouda, pecorino, comté; cabrales (intense Spanish blue cheese), stilton, gorgonzola.
Gonzalez Byassusa, U.S. importer of this wine website
