Winemaker Notes
The 2019 Cuesta de las Liebres personifies the original character of this unique steep slope and the extreme viticulture that takes place here. A vertical goblet-trained vineyard, surrounded by pine forest and scrubland. The structure and enormous complexity of this wine is a reflection of the strong commitment of Pago de Carraovejas to nature, the terroir and the history of the environment. The cradle of an exciting red wine. The expression of a precise and pure vineyard. Made only in single vintages. Pago de Carraovejas's viticulture takes on a challenge; a story of equality between man and nature. A radical wine, from the roots. Powerful and very persistent. An authentic wine.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A polished Ribera del Duero with powdery sweet spices, chocolate, blueberries, graphite and blackberries. Concentrated, full-bodied and intense with very polished silky tannins and an even, extensive finish. Such refinement for Ribera del Duero with a precise, seamless finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The top-of-the-range 2019 Cuesta de Las Liebres is pure Tinto Fino from a slope ("cuesta" is the Spanish word for slope), 3.36 hectares planted in 1993 that they only bottle separately in exceptional years. 2019 was a healthy and homogeneous vintage, with ripeness and harmony. It comes from very chalky and white soils. The handpicked grapes fermented in small oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in new 225-liter French oak barrels. The oak is integrated and does not dominate the aromas or flavors, and the wine is serious and harmonious, with elegance and subtleness.
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Vinous
The 2019 Cuesta de Las Liebres is 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero. Garnet in color, it shows subtle oak, delicate herbs and a hint of jam and undergrowth. The influence of oak has receded compared to previous vintages but still shapes the profile. Dry and plush on the palate, it offers a slightly compact texture and a more slender character. There is greater expressiveness compared to past vintages.
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Wine Spectator
This generous red shows freshness and balance, offering glossy cherry, plum sauce, Earl Grey, melted licorice and mocha flavors integrated with taut, sculpted tannins and bright acidity. Lush and creamy on the focused finish.
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.