Winemaker Notes
Garnet, clear and bright. Black fruit such as blackberry and violet stand out, with undertones of licorice, which is characteristic of the Tempranillo grape variety. Ageing in American oak barrels gives it intense aromas of coffee and toffee. It's a wine with smooth, well integrated tannins. Wonderfully fruity and meaty on the palate, with a pleasing, well-integrated acidity, reminiscent of roasted notes of toffee and coffee.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2021 El Vinculo CRIANZA LA MANCHA RIBERA DEL DUERO exhibits a bright and deep ruby with a lively, fruit-driven profile and tangy, energetic palate, pairs effortlessly with a rustic dish like patatas bravas, where the crisp potatoes and lightly spiced tomato sauce echo the wine’s brightness and keep the whole experience vibrant, casual, and satisfying. (Tasted: March 30, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
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.