Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
After two marginal vintages (2007–08), this is Emilio Moro and Ribera del Duero at their finest. This Tinto Fino delivers a huge wave of mocha, blackberry, tobacco and coffee aromas in front of a dense and layered palate that’s packed with prune, chocolate, cassis and blackberry flavors. A savory, richly textured finish overflowing with coffee, chocolate and smoky flavors seals the deal.
-
Wine Spectator
Plum, cocoa, mineral, sanguine and cola flavors mingle in this rich red, whose plush texture conceals a powerful structure, deep and balanced, with a finish that lingers and expands into spice, floral and earth notes. Distinctive and intriguing, this is still reserved and has much more to give.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2009 Malleolus de Valderramiro comes from 85-year-old vines and is matured for 18 months in new French and American oak. It received a eulogy from my predecessor in barrel, and although my own appreciation is more tempered, I still regard it as a stupendous wine. The oak is seamlessly integrated on the stylish nose that offers hints of mocha and dark chocolate to complement the brassy bold black fruit – creme de cassis and blueberry jam. The palate is full-bodied and just a little cloying on the entry. It is decadent, structured and voluminous, a bold intense wine with mouth-lacquering luscious, almost viscous fruit on the finish with fresh dates and cassis. It is uncompromisingly primal and unyielding at the moment and deserves several years in bottle
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.