Bela 2022

The affordable red 2022 Bela from their vineyards in Villalba de la Ribera del Duero was produced after classifying their plots by soil, some with more sand and others with more clay. 2022 was a very dry year with an early harvest (10 days earlier than previous years) to keep the alcohol level to 14%. This had a classical vinification, fermenting the grapes in stainless steel with selected yeasts and maturing the wine in barrel for nine months. It's juicy and grapey, fresh and straightforward, easy to drink. It has a medium-bodied palate that is juicy, with a tender texture and almost unnoticeable tannins. 75,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2023.

Dark cherries, blackberries, blueberries, dark spices and violets. Full and structured, with nicely chewy tannins that show it’s from Ribera del Duero, but the balance is in check. Fresh and fruit-conscious. Drink or hold. - Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor.