2022 Alejandro Fernandez Pesquera Crianza

The 2021 Alejandro Fernández Pesquera Crianza is a benchmark Ribera del Duero red, crafted by one of the region’s true pioneers. This is a polished yet powerful Tempranillo that captures the depth, spice and dark fruit character that made Pesquera a household name among Spanish wine lovers. It balances modern finesse with the estate’s unmistakable, old-school charm. Renowned for its generous, velvety texture and classic American oak influence, Pesquera Crianza offers impressive complexity and reliability vintage after vintage. Since the 1970s, Alejandro Fernández’s wines have helped elevate Ribera del Duero from relative obscurity to global prominence, and this Crianza remains a cornerstone of that legacy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2021 Pesquera Crianza shows a deep cherry-red core with violet hues at the rim, signalling both concentration and youth. The color is bright and clean, with well-defined legs that hint at its structure. The nose opens with ripe blackberries, dark cherries and plums, layered with notes of vanilla, coconut and sweet baking spices from American oak. Subtle hints of licorice, cedar, tobacco leaf and a touch of roasted coffee emerge with air, adding depth and complexity. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, with juicy black fruit at the core—black cherry, damson and blackberry—framed by fine-grained tannins and a lively, balancing acidity. Flavors of cocoa, toasted oak, clove and a touch of leather unfold through the mid-palate, leading to a long, savory finish with a gentle, spicy kick. While already very enjoyable in its youth, this 2021 has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 5–8 years, gaining more tertiary notes of leather, dried herbs and tobacco with bottle age.

Production
Pesquera’s vineyards lie on the slopes along the Duero River in Ribera del Duero, at notable altitude, where hot days and cool nights help preserve acidity and aromatic freshness in the Tempranillo (locally known as Tinto Fino). The soils are a mix of clay, sand and pebbles over limestone, providing both good drainage and a steady water reserve that encourages deep root systems and concentration in the grapes. Grapes are typically harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, allowing careful selection of bunches in the vineyard and at the winery. After destemming and a temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine undergoes extended maceration to extract color, flavor and tannin, followed by aging—traditionally around 14–18 months—in American oak barrels. This maturation in oak, followed by bottle aging before release, gives Pesquera Crianza its signature combination of ripe fruit, spice and supple texture.

Food & Serving
The 2021 Pesquera Crianza is a natural partner for richly flavored dishes and grilled meats. Think roast lamb with rosemary, Iberian pork chops, chargrilled steak, or slow-braised beef and oxtail. It also pairs beautifully with hearty stews, aged Manchego or other firm sheep’s milk cheeses, and dishes featuring mushrooms, chorizo or roasted root vegetables. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for ideal expression; if the wine is very young or recently opened, a short decant of 30–45 minutes helps the aromatics unfurl and the tannins soften, revealing the wine’s full complexity.

Producer
Bodegas Alejandro Fernández – Tinto Pesquera – is one of the most influential estates in Ribera del Duero, often credited with helping to place the region on the world wine map. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Alejandro Fernández recognized the potential of old-vine Tempranillo on the high plateau along the Duero River and began crafting wines that were richer, more expressive and more ageworthy than many of his contemporaries. Pesquera quickly became a reference point for modern Spanish reds, admired for their combination of ripe fruit, structure and distinctive American oak character. The estate’s consistent quality and commitment to expressing Ribera del Duero’s unique terroir have earned it a loyal following and a reputation as one of the region’s flagship producers.

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