Winemaker Notes
Deep red intense colour. In the mouth the notes of ripe fruit predominate combined with smooth toasted oak. Very structured wine, high level of tannins, with sweet sensations that add volume to it when in the mouth. This crianza wine, in contrast to other Ribera del Duero crianza wines, opens up your appetite and makes you want to keep sensing its aroma. It possesses an aromatic elegance that is obtained via a balance between depth (mineral, balsamic and bush notes), freshness, ripeness (blackberries and raspberries) and its ageing in French oak barrels (which adds creaminess, structure, hints of aniseed and toasted flavours to it). In the mouth something unexpected happens: there is a vivacious entry, a fresh and juicy flow and a long dry after-taste where again the memories from the ageing process surface. All in all it is a surprising crianza because it goes from intense colours and explosive aromas to coffee, cocoa and cedar.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Fresh and focused, this firm red delivers ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit, backed by espresso and licorice accents, finishing with alluring notes of sous-bois and mineral. Offers depth and drive. Drink now through 2016.
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.