Winemaker Notes
The nose opens with rich notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, woven together with licorice, warm spice, and a whisper of coffee, all framed by beautifully integrated oak. On the palate, it is broad and full-bodied, with a seamless balance that gives way to a fine, lingering finish. Firm yet refined tannins speak to its exceptional aging potential, promising continued evolution in the bottle.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The first 2018 Millenium of its kind was released from the 1996 vintage in 2000 and comes from one special plot, Vina Alta Cascajo, a distinct spot, flat with sedimentary soils, sand, gravel, and river pebbles. All French oak is used for aging, the only wine from the producer in which this is true, for 26 months in this case. It is a supremely elegant wine of refined tannins, blue fruit, more savory with less salinity, textured and lengthy. It should continue to shine through 2048.
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James Suckling
Complex nose with plenty of sweet spices, pine cones, vanilla and black walnuts to the blackberries and black mushrooms. A hint of bergamot. Tight and creamy on the palate. Don’t be put off by the wood tannins if you open it and drink it while it is young. The fine-grained tannins mesh nicely with the full-bodied palate. While this is quite plush with an old-school Ribera del Duero style, the quality is still impressive. Needs time and should age well in the next 10-15 years. Better from 2026.
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Wine Spectator
This silky red integrates polished tannins and juicy acidity with flavors of pureed black cherry and plum sauce, macchia, licorice and blood orange peel, with a minerally underpinning of iron, leather and earth. Expands nicely on the palate through the long, savory finish of tobacco and milled pepper. Drink now through 2038.
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Decanter
Spicy and earthy nose, with notes of blackcurrant, dried cranberry, rosemary and cedar wood. Elegant and refined, with polished tannins.
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.