Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2000 was not a heralded vintage in most of Spain, unlike in Bordeaux, but the turn of the century produced a very fine 2000 Único, which, from magnum, showed well, with good acidity. It was even a little closed but without the purity of, say, 2004. It has abundant, slightly dusty tannins and one of Vega Sicilia's signatures: a little volatility that lifts up the wine. It's evolving faster than the 2004, which to me is the benchmark of the decade. It was produced with 93% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and achieved 14% alcohol.
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Wine Spectator
Firm and elegant, this red is lean but dense, with dried cherry, tobacco, vanilla, licorice and leaf flavors, complex and harmonious in the traditional style. This is not showy, but has depth and length. Drink now through 2015.
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.