Rioja and Ribera del Duero Vintage Chart: 1982 to 2023
2023
In Ribera del Duero, it was a year of two harvests. The first, triggered by the threat of rain, produced early drinking wines with high acidity. A hot end of September followed brief rains, preventing the development of botrytis and giving way to a second harvest for those who waited. The second harvest produced healthy, ripe, and surprisingly concentrated wines.
In Rioja, the year was similar to 2022. Winter was dry followed by spring frost in Rioja Oriental. The drop in temperatures favoured millerandage, a positive development that resulted in loose bunches which helped to stave off fungal infection. July was cold followed by a sultry and stormy August – stressing the vines. September rainfall was welcomed in Rioja Alta but not in Rioja Oriental, where ripening was more advanced and botrytis infection was an issue. Quality is variable and depends on location.
2022
In Ribera del Duero, the year was very dry, with 50% less rainfall than average, and was marked by extreme temperature fluctuations. The lack of water affected yields as well as fruit chemistry and musts were often low in acidity with overripe tannins.
In Rioja, this was the hottest year on record. The autumn following the 2021 harvest was rainy. In spring, a heat wave over-stimulated vegetative growth and growers had to work hard to maintain balance in the vineyards. Summer hail in Eastern Rioja resulted in yield reduction. Excessive heat throughout the region caused vines to shut down due to stress. The arrival of the Cierzo (cold wind from the Cantabrian Sea) before the harvest helped to relax vines and provided the necessary coolness to push them through final ripening. A better vintage for reds than whites.
2021
In Ribera del Duero, this was a challenging vintage that nonetheless produced around average yields for the region (4,400 kg/ha) and excellent quality. In January, the Filomena squall brought heavy snow along with an unusual drop in temperatures (-15ºC). In spring, the region saw localised hailstorms. It was also a year of low rainfall (300 mm/year). Despite all this, resulting wines are balanced with long cellaring potential.
In Rioja, it was a relatively cool year with average yields. Spring frost hit Rioja Alta and Alavesa particularly hard. Summer was warm and very dry but nights were cool resulting in well balanced fruit. Rains in early September helped to replenish soils. Wines are concentrated with good cellaring potential.
2020
In Ribera del Duero, 2020 was a mild year with more rain than usual but no significant challenges. Not surprisingly, it was described as an excellent vintage. Production was generous with 15% higher yields than average.
In Rioja, winter was warmer and wetter than normal. In spring, there were sporadic and localised episodes of hail. A vigorous year with significant downy mildew pressure and average yields.
2019
In Ribera del Duero, 2019 was a great year characterized by warm temperatures and average yields of ripe and healthy fruit.
In Rioja, the spring was cold. Irregular flowering led to looser bunches and lower yields. Rainfall during harvest refreshed the vines. The resulting wines are balanced with excellent cellaring potential.
2018
2018 was officially classified as ‘good’ (not top rank) in Rioja, with lower than average alcohol levels, and higher than average yields. It was a similar story in Ribera del Duero, where cooler conditions created a fresher and lighter style of red.
2017
One of the toughest years in living memory, with the frost and drought reducing yields by 25% at least. What was left has resulted in wines with elevated alcohol, tannin and extraction. Approach with caution.
2016
Unlike Catalunya, Rioja enjoyed an abundant harvest – the largest since 2005, and many producers had to discard fruit to meet the permitted yield. Quality is excellent, with modest alcohol, full ripeness, relatively light tannins, good aromatic range and no bitterness. Certainly the best recent vintage. In Ribera del Duero, the outlook is also positive, with quality as good as the strong 2015 vintage.
2015
Ribera was hot and dry in 2015. Old vines did well while younger vines struggled. Volume was lower than in 2014 by up to one third. Low nitrogen levels led to some struggling ferments, but the flavour ripeness is very high, with soft tannins and high potential alcohol The finished articles have turned out to be much better than was perhaps expected. Alcohol will also be higher than usual in Rioja, again with powerful concentration and richness. A short, early harvest reflected the ripeness of the crop. Berries were small across the region, with the higher, cooler vineyards of Rioja showing especially high quality.
2014
The official report from Rioja describes the 2014 harvest as improved in quality and quantity compared to 2013, though they acknowledge some grey rot affected the final week of harvest.In Ribera del Duero, it was fresh and lovely
2013
Despite a cool, wet start to the year, a long dry summer in Ribera del Duero heralded full fruit ripeness at harvest, with below average temperatures promising fine flavour development. Frequent bouts of wet weather in Rioja, together with the cold spring, resulted in some uneven ripening and a delayed harvest that slipped into November in some parts, yet yields here were slightly up on 2012 and producers are optimistic.
2012
A weird year of weather in Spain. It was the fifth consecutive small vintage, thanks in large part to very dry conditions. The resultant small berries harvested in Rioja are likely to make wines of great concentration and high tannin, but of limited ageability. The Ribera del Duero crop was also shrunk by drought but producers there are a little more optimistic about eventual quality.
2011
Hot and heat-stressed for the vines in Rioja with lower acidity than average but powerful, concentrated wines of good quality. Similarly hot in Ribera del Duero, giving very powerful intensity and smooth, soft tannins.
2010
Exceptional for Ribera del Duero with no excessive weather patterns, uniform ripeness and quality as promising as 2004. Good quality in Rioja also, considered better than 2009.
2009
Very hot conditions gave average temperatures above the infamous 2003 vintage. However, timely rains in Rioja and Ribera del Duero relieved the vines and rescued the vintage. Very good quality.
2008
Very good quality for Rioja, with favourable weather throughout autumn. In Ribera del Duero, temperatures were cooler than normal, giving a slow, balanced ripening process and elegant wines as a result.
2007
After a miserable summer, frost on 24 September decimated the crop from many young Ribera del Duero vineyards. Most grapes struggled to ripen but late pickers were rewarded. Not a stellar year though.
2006
Some spring hail in Rioja. Hot summer with some drought stress. Has not lived up to the two previous vintages.
2005
Another good vintage with high temperatures but with (just) enough rain.
2004
Very good year, especially for Rioja, with wines that should mostly be drunk before their 20th birthday.
2003
Small, early, drought-plagued harvest of often unbalanced wines.
2002
Exceptionally cold winter and spring was followed by nasty wet weather during summer – disastrous for both quality and quantity. Rain persisted even during harvest. Truly a severe test for both regions.
2001
Smaller-than-usual crop because of spring frosts but distinctly superior quality accentuated in some cases by further deliberate crop thinning. Some very fine wines that are maturing magnificently – if you can find them!
2000
Record crop levels and extremely variable quality with exceptionally high summer temperatures and in many cases a lack of concentration. Some very good wines from Ribera del Duero though.
1999
April frost in Rioja delayed ripening of grapes that suffered thanks to summer rains. Better quality in Ribera del Duero, however, although harvest rain reduced acidity. Good quality but not quite as good as 1998.
1998
Despite spring frosts, yields were still too high to ripen some grapes sufficiently in Ribera del Duero. Quantity was also Rioja’s strong suit.
1997
Rain at harvest. Not glorious.
1996
Particularly successful in Ribera del Duero, where ripe, relatively friendly wines were made.
1995
Another frost-shrunk crop in Ribera del Duero, although the grapes were riper and probably better balanced than in 1994. Rioja's bodegas, on the other hand, were swollen by an enormous harvest of ripe, healthy grapes.
1994
Quality isn't a problem but quantity is after spring frosts and summer drought. Some very nice wines indeed.
1993
Heavy harvest rains again. Good but not great seems the rule.
1992
This looked good until prolonged rains, which diluted the grapes and encouraged rot. Early maturing. Should have been drunk.
1991
An excellent year in Spain, only a small crop but impressive weight and structure.
1990
Another large and fine quality crop in all areas.
1989
Plenty of rich and charming wines from both regions.
1986
Good in Rioja but outshone by Riberas of complexity and power.
1982
A very great year, the best since 1970, with plenty of Reserva wines.