Winemaker Notes
After purchasing Finca Villacreces in 2004, the Anton family began the hard work of reinvigorating their vines while also ending contracts by which they sold a significant portion of their fruit to neighbors. In the process they began to notice that some of their plots made an elegant and refreshing style of wine in comparison to the more dense and concentrated, classic Ribera del Duero. Thus Pruno was born as a selection of these vineyard plots. It represents one of the greatest values in Ribera del Duero coming entirely from estate fruit grown on sandy soils surrounded on two sides by the Duero with Vega Sicilia on one remaining border, and a vineyard belonging to Pingus on the other. Nice address!
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas and flavors of blueberries and black licorice here. Full body. Integrated tannins give the wine form, but don’t impose too much. Better in 2021.
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.