Winemaker Notes
Located in a high elevation region within the heart of Ribera del Duero, the Comenge winery was founded in 1998 by one of the foremost experts on Spanish wine and Spanish grape varieties. Miguel Comenge's goal was to make a well-balanced, delicious wine from the Ribera del Duero without the excessive tannin structure of many wines in the region. Each vintage is made with the strictest selection measures and attention to quality, from the budding of the vines down to the bottling of the wine.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Impressive for the way it blends modern richness with authentic aromas and flavors. The nose offers prune, leather, blackberry and fine dried cheese, while the palate is savory and smooth, with chocolaty, round berry fruit flavors and then additional chocolate and toast on the finish. Lively and dense, but not heavy. Drink now through 2013.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2005 Comenge, sourced from Comenge's estate vines, is 100% Tempranillo aged in barrel for 13 months. Dark ruby-colored, it has an enticing nose of dried herbs, coffee, black cherry, blackberry, and licorice. Smooth on the palate, it has a slightly roasted character along with plenty of ripe, savory fruit. Surprisingly forward, it will evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now through 2017.
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.