Winemaker Notes
Clear and bright appearance. A lovely garnet color with a violet rim. A complex and very elegant wine on the nose. Aromas of fresh fruit, light balsamic notes, roasted notes of coffee and subtle smokey notes. Full-bodied, fresh and elegant on the palate. Well-rounded and pliable tannins reminiscent of black fruit and well integrated with the smokey and spicy notes of wood.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A spicy and flavorful red that shows blackberry fruit, black cherries, nutmeg and sweet walnuts on the nose. It’s full-bodied and well framed with tight-knit tannins. Compact. Drink from 2025.
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Wine Spectator
A fresh red, with the tang of plum skininfused acidity layered with a dark core of blackberry confit, warm fig, herbed olive and mocha. Tightly meshed, integrating firm, sleek tannins that emerge on the minerally finish. Best from 2027 through 2037. 850 cases imported.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Medium-deep garnet in color, the 2020 Pesquera Reserva opens with distinctive aromas of dried ceci beans, early summer blackberries, and hard cherry candies. Lively and smooth on the palate, it delivers bright tart cherry flavors with a polished finish. A perfect match for grilled pork kebabs, where the wine’s vibrant fruit and savory nuances shine alongside the smoky, spiced meat. (Tasted: July 20, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
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Jeb Dunnuck
Having spent 16-18 months in American oak, the well-integrated 2020 Reserva is from a relatively cooler vintage and has good acidity. The mouthfeel and texture are abundant in leathery, savory black fruit, oak, and fine tannins, with underlying freshness beneath the full-bodied power. It takes time to open in the glass.
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.