Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This project, from a large estate in Ribera del Duero, has the gifted Danish winemaker, Peter Sisseck (of Pingus fame), as the winemaker. Produced from extremely low yields (15-20 hectoliters per hectare), this offering is a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
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Wine Enthusiast
Nearly black, this Tempranillo-based wine shows aromas of blackberries and licorice along with a generous helping of oak. Structured and intense, it should age well. Reminiscent of consultant Peter Sisseck's Dominico de Pingus, and at one-fifth the price.
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Wine Spectator
This lush, velvety Spanish red offers a wide range of flavors, from chocolate and toast to plums, cherries and tobacco. The tannins are firm and well integrated, the concentration rich, yet the structure graceful. Should bloom with some time in the bottle. A blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet, Merlot and Malbec. The first vintage under new winemaker Peter Sisseck.
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.