Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Celia Vizcarra is produced with fruit from an old head-pruned vineyard with 93% Tinto Fino and 7% Garnacha. I see a floral character that might be attributed to the Garnacha, but whatever it is, this is a wine of marked personality, combining ripe and elegant aromas and flavors with the attractive suppleness of the blueberries, meaty tannins and delicate aromas of violets and dry roses. The palate shows very good balance and stuffing, with very fine, sophisticated tannins. A great, different Ribera. Bravo!
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and racy, this polished red offers focused flavors of black cherry, juicy plum, licorice, graphite and toast, harmonious and deep. The firm tannins are well-integrated, showing plenty of acidity for balance. Drink now through 2025.
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Wine & Spirits
Vibrant in its acidity and untamed in its texture, this is one of the better wines from Ribera’s 2010 vintage. It has the directional force and vivid freshness that can strengthen the fruit of a wine when the grapes have not tipped into over-ripeness. From 55-year-old vines, this is mostly tinto fino along with ten percent garnacha.
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.