Wines Ribera del Duero Avelino Vegas - F de Fuentespina - 2012

Viniou Reviews

The 2012 Cuvée F de Fuentespina from Avelino Vegas is a distinguished red wine hailing from the renowned Ribera del Duero DO in Spain’s Castille and León region. Crafted predominantly from the Tempranillo grape (locally known as Tinta del País), this vintage showcases the formidable structure and depth for which the appellation is celebrated. Aged in both French and American oak barrels, the wine presents a perfect harmony between ripe, concentrated black fruit – think blackberries, plums, and cherries – and the subtle tobacco, vanilla, and sweet spice notes imparted by meticulous barrel maturation. The 2012 vintage, a year marked by excellent weather conditions, yields a wine with elegant tannins, a robust body, and an impressively persistent finish, making it a genuine benchmark for the style.

Ribera del Duero, set along the upper reaches of the Duero River, enjoys a continental climate defined by long, hot summers and cold winters, with dramatic temperature shifts between day and night. This diurnal variation is key to achieving complex, deeply coloured wines with a perfect balance of freshness and ripeness. The region’s high altitude vineyards, often planted on a mosaic of clay, limestone, and sandy soils, contribute to the characteristically powerful structure and mineral backbone of its reds. Historically, Ribera del Duero has earned its reputation as a powerhouse of Spanish winemaking, rivalled only by Rioja, with estates like Avelino Vegas helping to drive innovation and consistency in quality.

When it comes to food pairing, the boldness and depth of the Cuvée F make it a natural match for hearty Spanish fare. Consider serving it alongside slow-roasted lamb with rosemary, traditional lechazo (suckling lamb) – a local Castilian delicacy – or rich braised beef cheeks. Aged cheeses such as Manchego or Idiazabal will also complement its savoury complexity. Earthy mushroom dishes or a casserole of beans and chorizo will find their equal in the wine’s spicy undertones.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for about an hour to allow its aromas to open fully, and serve at 16-18°C. This temperature will accentuate its elegance while tempering the alcohol, ensuring a balanced, expressive tasting experience.