Winemaker Notes
Cuesta de las Liebres 2020 conveys the unique character of the hillside from
which it comes. An exceptional vineyard with a slope of over 30% that requires
extreme viticulture. The Cuesta de las Liebres tempranillo vines grow in vertical
vines, sheltered by the pine forest that protects them from the upper part of the
plot. The structure and enormous complexity of this wine is a reflection of the
firm commitment of Pago de Carraovejas to nature, the terroir and the history of
the environment. The expression of a precise and pure vineyard. Made only in
single vintages. Their viticulture assumes a challenge; a story in 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 benchmark Ribera del Duero when it comes to quality. Expect the fine integration of high-grade wood, showing notes of peppermint, spices, truffles, dark chocolate, grilled herbs and dark cherry and blackberry fruit. More restrained in oak use compared with the old vintages for sure. Full-bodied and resolved, with seamless, powdery tannins and a juicy, tightly wound finish. Even, polished and effortless for such remarkable balance. It has a high level of concentration, with plush, integrated oak. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The top of the range and price hierarchy, the 2020 Cuesta de Las Liebres comes from 3.19 hectares planted in 1994 on a 30% slope surrounded by pine trees. It fermented in small oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in new 225-liter French oak barrels for 24 months. It reached the customary 15% alcohol, showing high ripeness. This is subtler, more elegant, perfumed and a little creamy, with notes of very good quality oak. It's full-bodied, with abundant tannins, a chalky feeling and a long, dry and tasty finish. This should improve with time in bottle. If you pull the cork now, it would benefit from decanting and/or powerful food.
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Vinous
The 2020 Cuesta de las Liebres is 100% Tinto Fino that was aged for 24 months in French oak barrels. Garnet colored, it shows classic notes of blackberry and underbrush with a touch of lavender. Dry and broad, with fine-grained reactive tannins, it delivers a mature and structured profile.
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Wine Spectator
Fragrant black licorice, mocha and baking spices accent a fresh and concentrated core of crushed blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors in this statuesque red, framed by chalky, integrated tannins. Woodsy spice, moss, herb and mineral hints add savory depth as they linger on the silky 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.