Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of brambly fruits of the wood, red plum and tobacco leaf set the stage for blackberry, black plum, clove, licorice, dark chocolate and dried thyme flavors. Tannins come on strong and drift away into a smooth finish marked with a whiff of violet.
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James Suckling
Blueberries, espresso, cedar, dark plums and vanilla on the nose. Full-bodied, compact and inky, with firm tannins and excellent structure. Savory and meaty at the end.
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Wine Spectator
Boasts brambly black raspberry, boysenberry and black cherry fruit that's ripe and juicy, with an overtone of fresh earth and accents of cured tobacco and spices. Offers a core of firm, though plush, tannins and balsamico acidity, all well-knit and harmonious. Drink now through 2029.
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.