Cepa Gavilán Crianza 2022, a reflection of Ribera del Duero

The Cepa Gavilán Crianza 2022 is one of the youngest wines—or more precisely, one of the shortest-aged wines—produced by the prestigious family winery Hermanos Pérez Pascuas (Viña Pedrosa), located in the D.O. Ribera del Duero (Burgos), one of Spain’s most renowned regions for high-quality red wines.

It is made exclusively from 100% Tinta del País (Tempranillo), sourced from relatively young estate-owned vineyards and hand-harvested. After controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine undergoes ageing for approximately 12 months in French and American oak barrels, followed by an additional period of bottle ageing. In the case of the 2022 vintage, this bottle ageing has been especially significant: the extra year of refinement has worked beautifully, rounding the tannins, integrating the oak, and polishing the fruit, so the wine has gained harmony and elegance compared to its initial release on the market.

On the palate, it shows a deep cherry-red colour with violet edges, and a highly expressive nose where ripe red and black fruit, balsamic notes, spices, hints of vanilla, cocoa, and a mineral background stand out. In the mouth, it is flavourful and well-structured, with polished tannins, a fleshy yet fresh mid-palate, and a long, balanced finish that combines fruit with subtle toasted nuances.

It is a distinctive wine within Ribera del Duero because, despite being one of the “youngest” wines in the estate, it maintains the serious, age-worthy style of Viña Pedrosa, offering power but with a level of finesse already noticeably refined thanks to bottle ageing.

To decide

Approximate price: between €12 and €15.

Where to buy it: depending on the retailer, it can be found in specialised wine shops, online wine stores, and also in some large supermarkets with a good wine selection.

Why it is worth it: because it offers an authentic Ribera del Duero style, well-made and with the character of a higher-end wine at an accessible price, and because in this vintage the bottle ageing has polished it further, making it especially enjoyable at this moment.