Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Wave upon wave of dried herbs, tobacco and redcurrant and blueberry fruit provide interest and intrigue. Decadent and inviting with a succulent leathery texture, a searing tang of acidity and superb belt of velvet tannins.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Named for the founders, Alejandro and Esperanza, the 2018 Alenza Gran Reserva is from a small plot called Maricalva with the most amount of slope on the estate. It fermented in stainless steel and American barrels on the stems and aged two years in American oak using traditional winemaking practices that go back to the family’s original days. Smooth, refined tannins coat a full-bodied palate of lengthy, well-integrated red fruit and herbal complements. From what many consider one of the region’s great vintages in terms of both quantity and quality, this is the first time the producer made all its Gran Reservas in the same year. Enjoy another 15-20 years.
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Wine Spectator
A bright, harmonious red, fragrant and appealing, with licorice snap, cardamom, mountain herb and vanilla aromas. Well-muscled on the silky-textured palate, showing flavors of pureed cherry, macerated raspberry, singed orange peel and mocha defined by fine, chalky tannins that firm the finish. Drink now through 2038.
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James Suckling
Plenty of pine cone, hazelnut and sweet vanilla spices to the minty blackberries and red fruit. Juicy and tight on the palate with a medium to full body and a tightly wound, lengthy finish. Vanilla and coconut at the end. A lot of wood here, but it will come around in a few years after the wood tannins integrate more.
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Wine Enthusiast
A fragrant violet perfume introduces a judicious use of American oak, creating an expressive yet balanced nose. The palate delivers ripe purple fruit in a refined manner that keeps you interested. This is one of those wines that you won't have to think too hard about, but you'll be happy with its performance, nonetheless.
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.