Winemaker Notes
Inés is a limited-production wine made only in the very best vintages from two of the oldest parcels on the estate. Named for Juan Carlos' youngest daughter, Inés features a dollop of old-vine Merlot in the blend, which gives it a bright, silky character and bolsters its elegance.
This rich, silky red is a perfect match for grilled lamb and other big flavors, as well as mushrooms and earthy vegetable dishes.
Blend: 90% Tempranillo, 10% Merlot
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I love the subtleness and elegance of the 2016 Inés, which could be the finest vintage so far of this single-vineyard bottling of Tinto Fino with 10% Merlot. It fermented in 400-liter barrels and matured in those barrels for 18 months and a further four months in a 2,000-liter oval oak cask. It has ripeness and a decadent mouthfeel, with melted tannins, plenty of personality and superb balance and elegance. It's very tasty and has very fine, chalky tannins. It should develop very nicely in bottle.
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.