Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Malleolus is another 100% Tempranillo, with a reductive nose. It has generous upfront oak and complex tannins, very ripe in full-bodied layers of blackberry and blueberry that taste nearly of jam. Secondary characteristics of spice, balsamic, and tobacco linger on the dense finish.
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James Suckling
Very expressive aromas of blackberries, black olives and graphite. The palate is quite firm, with dark fruit flavors. Needs a couple of years to soften.
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Vinous
From the stony soils of Ribera del Duero, the 2022 Malleolus delivers a ripe profile shaped by both site selection and a warm year. Aromas of blackberry, anise and oak mingle with a hint of cedar and layers of herbs. The palate is broad and slightly indulgent, with grippy tannins that feel a bit rigid on the gums but do not break the enveloping flow. Intensity of flavor and grip drive the finish. A well-made, rich interpretation of Ribera.
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Wine Enthusiast
A ripe yet slightly reservednose is shaped by blackberry-driven fruit with a subtletouch of chocolate. The palate is lush and velvety, helpingto soften the otherwise dominant tannins.
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Wine Spectator
A rich red in an extracted style, with a glossy sheen to the juicy core of wild boysenberry, blueberry and mulberry fruit. Yet this offers balance as well, with a bright tang of orange peel acidity and supple tannins providing a fine, focusing frame. Aromatic on the finish, showing hints of candied violet, anise and sweet smoke. Drink now through 2035. 20,000 cases made, 8,000 cases imported.
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.