Francisco Barona - Ribera del Duero 2021
Considered by many to be the best young winemaker in Ribera del Duero, Francisco Barona grew up in a family of humble viticulturists in Roa de Duero, and as a third generation farmer travelled to Bordeaux to work at Chateau Pavie-Macquin and study at the University of Bordeaux. In 2010 he returned home and founded his estate in Ribera del Duero. Barona's youngest vineyard was planted in 1948, and is leading the charge in Ribera away from commercialization and towards a recovery of what made Ribera del Duero famous - traditionally farmed, old field blended vineyards of Tinto Fino planted at high altitudes. This is primarily Tinto Fino (Tempranilllo), intermixed in the vineyards with Garnacha Tinta, Albillo, Bobal, Jaen, and a host of other field blended indigenous varieties. Francisco owns 45 Ha. of old field-blend vineyards planted in the villages of Roa, Anguix, Pedrosa de Duero, and La Aguilera between the years 1908-1948. Barona abstains from the use of chemically synthesized fertil