Winemaker Notes
Malleolus 2014 stands out from the very first moment by its intense color. In the nose it is also intense, opulent and fragrant. It emphasizes a base of varietals enriched with nuances of noble wood, balsamic and spices. In the mouth it is powerful, silky and enveloping, of very long and persistent aftertaste.
Blend: 100% Tinto Fino
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Malleolus is sourced from vines ranging between 25 and 75 years of age, fermented in stainless steel vats with their own selected yeasts, followed by an élevage of 18 months in used French oak barriques. This is just bottled, yet the wine feels very harmonious, and in 2014 it seems to combine power with good freshness. It's a good expression of the Emilio Moro style, generous wines that are generously oaked and hedonistic, lush and ripe, nicely balanced by the character of the year. This has to be one of the finest Malleolus vintages so far.
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.