Monteabellón 5 Meses 2024, Ribera del Duero DO

Monteabellón 5 Meses is a 100% Tempranillo from Bodegas Monteabellón, based in Nava de Roa in the heart of Ribera del Duero, where the grape is known locally as Tinto Fino. The vineyards lie on the region’s high plateau, with hot days and cold nights. As the name suggests, the wine spends five months in oak barrels, a mix of French and American oak, which adds a light seasoning of spice and toast without masking the fruit. It is made by Isaac Fernández, nephew of the celebrated Mariano García, and shows the house style: generous fruit, well-integrated oak and supple tannins in a Ribera that is approachable young.

In the glass it is a deep, bright cherry red. The nose is intense, with blackberry, blueberry and black cherry woven together with the oak, along with hints of sweet tobacco and toasted cedar. The palate is juicy and well structured, with good fruit expression, ripe, supple tannins and fresh acidity, leading to a balanced finish.

Serve at around 16–18°C. It is a natural partner for grilled and roast meats, especially lamb, as well as burgers, chorizo, tapas and hard cheeses such as Manchego. Enjoy it now and over the next three to four years.

Bodegas Monteabellón is a family winery in the small town of Nava de Roa, in the heart of Ribera del Duero. The García family has been involved in viticulture for many generations and founded Monteabellón in 2000. The winemaker and creative force behind the venture is Isaac Fernández, nephew of Mariano García, the legendary winemaker at Vega Sicilia from 1966 to 1996. Isaac worked for many years alongside Mariano and his sons at Bodegas Mauro, and that style shows in Monteabellón’s wines: exuberant fruit, rich weight, seamless oak and polished tannins, with balance and lift on the finish. The grapes are carefully selected in the vineyards, which are farmed without insecticides or herbicides and kept to low yields, and the wines are aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels.