Winemaker Notes
Traditional family estate located in one of Ribera del Duero’s highest villages.Grapes are hand harvested and fermented in a mixture of oak vats, cement vats andstainless steel. Freshness, length and balance are the objectives.
100% Tempranillo from La Viñota, a 60-year-old clay parcel at 950 meters elevation and El Rubial, a 40-year-old clay and limestone parcel at 920 meters. Viticulture is sustainable and all vineyards are dry-farmed. Aged 12 months in French oak and 12 months in bottle, balsamic and mineral/spice notes accent fresh and focused fruit concentration.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Attractive aromas of plums and black cherries with discreet oak. Medium to full body, generous, soft tannins and a harmonious but simple finish.
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Wine Spectator
Rich and lively. A thick texture carries ripe flavors of currant and blackberry, backed by licorice and vanilla notes. Firm tannins and fresh acidity keep this balanced. Generous and exuberant. Drink now through 2025. 6,000 cases made.
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.