Tardencuba Crianza 2008
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2006-
Wine &
Spirits -
Robert
Parker
For their top wines Tardencuba uses only ungrafted centennial vines. The soil is is rocky, with numerous boulders. There are are an average of 12 feet of soil until the vine's roots can extend and reach the bedrock. This dry and barren soil is immune to attack by phylloxera and to this day all the old vines have their original rootstock (ungrafted). Yields are low, an average of only 2-3 lbs per plant. The vineyards are not irrigated.
The grapes are picked by hand at dawn in small 40 lbs cases. Fermentation takes place in small concrete tanks, plot by plot, to preserve its individuality. Only native yeasts are used. and fermentation is spontaneous. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration, direct into the bottle from the casks.
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.
Spain's remote, high elevation Spanish wine zone between the regions of Bierzo and Ribera del Duero produces intense, full-bodied reds made from Tempranillo, locally called Tinta de Toro. This local variant has adapted to the region’s climatic extremes and recognizing its potential, top producers from Ribera del Duero and Rioja have invested heavily in its vineyards.