Winemaker Notes
Malabrigo roughly translates to ‘bad coat,’ a reference to the fact that this top wine from Cepa 21 comes from high-elevation north-facing Tinto Fino vineyards in one of the coolest microclimates in the Ribera del Duero. These conditions produce a slow and even maturation. This ultra-small production bottling is fermented and aged for 21 months in new French barrels.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Ripe aromas of cola nut, burnt brown sugar, cedar and blackberry feed into a giant palate with killer tannins. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and burnt toast end in a tarry pool of black-fruit flavors and monster tannins. This is rewarding now but also punishing; hold until 2017, then drink through 2025.
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.