Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2009 Arrocal was produced from estate-grown fruit and aged for 8 months in French and American oak. A glass-coating purple/black color, typical of the 2009 vintage, is accompanied by an inviting nose of cedar, cinnamon, espresso, licorice, and blackberry. Ripe, forward, and round on the palate, it conceals enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for 1-2 years but this outstanding value can be approached now.
Bodegas Arrocal’s three offerings are made from 100% Tinto Fino, the local clone of Tempranillo, and were bottled without filtration.
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Wine Enthusiast
Tight, focused and crisp on the nose, with clean berry and spice aromas. About as good and healthy on the palate as Ribera gets, with wild berry and correct tannic-acid balance. Toasty and peppery on the finish. A well-made, stylish wine done right.
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.