Wines Ribera del Duero Campo De Borja - Ermita de San Lorenzo Gran Seleccion - 2018

Viniou Reviews

The 2018 Campo De Borja, Cuvée Ermita de San Lorenzo Gran Seleccion, hails from the renowned Ribera del Duero DO in Castille and León, Spain. While the name "Campo De Borja" usually refers to a distinct DO in Aragón, it is here used as the estate's name, with the wine firmly rooted in Ribera del Duero’s traditions. This red cuvée likely features Tempranillo (locally known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País) as its star, supported perhaps by a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. The 2018 vintage in Ribera del Duero benefited from a warm, consistent growing season, yielding grapes with ripe tannins and balanced acidity. Gran Seleccion indicates a special selection, often involving the finest grapes and an extended maturation, probably in French and/or American oak, giving structure and layers of spice.

Ribera del Duero, lying along the Duero river, is a benchmark region for premium Spanish reds. Its high-altitude vineyards (700-900 metres) experience hot days and cool nights, ideal for producing deeply coloured wines with concentrated aromas, robust structure and a signature freshness. The soils are diverse, a mixture of limestone, clay and sandy patches, which contribute minerality and complexity to the wines. Historically, this region has risen to global acclaim since the 1980s, rivalling Rioja through a focus on rich yet elegant reds.

The Cuvée Ermita de San Lorenzo Gran Seleccion 2018, with its bold profile, matches perfectly with hearty fare. Try it with roasted lamb, chargrilled beef or duck confit. Traditional Castilian dishes such as lechazo asado (roast suckling lamb) or morcilla (blood sausage) amplify the wine’s spicy and savoury nuances. Mature cheeses like Manchego and wild mushroom dishes will also enhance its earthy undertones.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at 16-18°C. Decanting for at least an hour is recommended to open up its bouquet and soften the tannins. This bottle has the depth to age gracefully but is already accessible, offering a rewarding tasting experience now.