Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
An understated Ribera del Duero that’s deep, fresh, and pristine. Expect hints of dried herbs and mineral notes alongside vibrant blackberries and blue plums. There’s a subtle touch of mussel shell and cocoa powder savoriness. The palate presents a medium to full body with very firm yet fine tannins, leading to a long finish. Still grippy at the end, but not overly powdery or firm. Outstanding quality. From organically and biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink from 2026.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The modern and showy red 2021 Cyclo reveals a little more toast and smoke on the nose, reflecting an élevage of 22 months in 225-liter oak barrels (but 10% of the volume was kept in concrete). It has notes of ripe berries, herbs, flowers and plenty of spicy oak. The palate is full-bodied, with abundant, fine-grained tannins, still young and undeveloped and in need of some more time in bottle. It has the ingredients, the balance and freshness to develop nicely in bottle, giving a different expression of the zone from the more classical Torre Albéniz.
In the heart of Ribera del Duero, close to the town of Aranda, lies the Torrmilanos estate, home of Bodegas Penalba Lopez. Winemaking at the estate dates back to 1903 but it was not until 1975 when it was acquired by the Penalba Lopez family who increased the acreage under Temrpanillo- the region's best grape variety-that it approached the 200 hectares of vineyars that now cover the hillsides surrounding the winery.
The visually stunning, sympathetic architecture of the winery and the facilities it offers guarantee the quality and long aging potential of the wines. But even with the best grape variety and the most advanced winery one other factor is still required to help realize the fullest potential of the estate-the climage. In the Ribera del Duero the extremes of hot and cold help to embrace the fruit quality so that the wines can compete with the best in the world.
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.