Hacienda Monasterio Ribera del Duero 2012
-
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Tinto Fino, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The current vintage for the crianza is 2012. The 2012 Crianza, from a dry vintage, resulted much fresher than expected, fresher than 2009 and 2011 in fact. The vines are dry-farmed and were planted some 22 years ago, and you might say they have matured by now. The approximate mixture of grapes in their vineyards is mostly Tempranillo with some 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec, and it's more or less the blend in this wine. The Cabernet works well, providing finesse and some acidity to the Tempranillo. Merlot does not work that well, and they are regrafting it to Cabernet and Malbec, so in future vintages there will be less of it. The wine matured in 20% new French oak barrels for some 20 months. There are no traces of the barriques and the nose took me to the Riberas of yesteryear, with some subtle rusticity; it's ripe without excess and there's good balance between fruit, spices and perhaps something earthy. The palate is extremely balanced, medium-bodied with very fine tannins, tasty, approachable and long. This could very well be the best crianza ever produced at Monasterio. This has to be one of the bargains of the vintage in Ribera, given the quality it delivers. 175,000 bottles produced.
-
James Suckling
A crisp red with plum, berry and mineral aromas and flavors. Full body, dense center palate and a minerally aftertaste. Fresh and bright. Drink now.
Other Vintages
2020-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator
-
Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling
-
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Robert
Parker
-
Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
Ribera del Duero, Spanish wine region, is located in northen Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive from Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back more than 2000 years, it was in the 1980s that 9 wineries applied for and were granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 300 wineries call Ribera del Duero home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names.
Notable Facts Ribera’s main grape variety, Tempranillo, locally know as Tinto Fino, is perfectly suited to the extreme climate of the region, where it must survive scorching summers and frigid winters. Low yields resulting from conscientious tending to old vines planted in Ribera’s diverse soils types, give Ribera wines a distinctive depth and complexity not found in other Tempranillos. Rich and full-bodied, the spice, dark fruit and smoky flavors in a bold Ribera del Duero will pair well with roasted and grilled meats, Mexican food and tomato-based sauces.