Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The wonderful 2013 Crianza from Hacienda Monasterio is one of the great successes from a challenging vintage that resulted in a heterogeneous collection of wines, where you can find the best and the worst. 2013 was a shorter vintage and they didn't do a Reserva or Reserva Especial that year, so the very best grapes from their estate vineyards went into this Crianza. In fact, they sold 40% of their production in bulk. The final blend was 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and they didn't use any Merlot this year. It's a very precise vintage, with symmetry and a chiseled mouthfeel coupled with very good acidity, a little higher than in 2014 and with half a degree less of alcohol. The Monasterio vineyards are south-facing, the warmer exposure in the northern hemisphere, so they have an advantage in cooler years such as this 2013. Since 2012, the vineyards are organically certified, even if they have always been worked that way; the only difference is that they are now officially certified. The fruit is red rather than black and the tannins are super fine and elegant, providing for that laser-cut precision. This is clearly among the best wines from the vintage. In a way it reminded me of the 1996. The severe selection resulted into 134,560 bottles, way below the average, and it really paid off. Bravo!
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James Suckling
So polished and silky with a wonderful texture. Full to medium body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Dark berry and hints of mineral too. Hard not to drink now but better in 2017.
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Wine Spectator
Plush and rich, this red delivers ripe plum and currant fruit, with espresso, tar and smoky notes. Well-integrated tannins and balsamic acidity support the thick texture. Drink now through 2025.
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.