Winemaker Notes
Here, the fresh, red berried, mineral character of Ribera shows through, with a slightly spicy, minty note. This is one of only a few Ribera wines where you can taste the "cut" and chewy, juicy Tempranillo flavors unburdened by oak. A crisp fruited wine with structure and substance, it's neither light nor unduly heavy. This would pair well with Thai beef salad, marinated Korean BBQ pork, Peking duck and meat or chicken dishes with a piquant play of spices.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A sensational value, this 2012 Tinto (100% Tempranillo) may merit an outstanding rating with another 4-6 months in bottle. It boasts a deep ruby/purple color, a beautiful texture, and a big, sweet bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, licorice and lead pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied with loads of fruit, a precocious appeal, ripe tannin and decent acidity...
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.