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.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This enticing blend of 90% Tempranillo, 8% Merlot and 2% Albillo is brilliant garnet-colored in the glass with aromas of cherry, saddle leather and black plum. It is soft on entry with flavors of black raspberry, cassis and red plum all enveloped in velvety tannins.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Even the 2019 Inés seemed to play dangerously with over-ripeness, with aromas of prunes and raisins coupled with some earthiness and a volatile and heady whiff, perhaps because of the nearly 15% alcohol. It's full-bodied, voluptuous and quite tannic after spending 18 months in 400-liter barrels (90% French, 10% American) and a further four months in an oval 2,000-liter oak foudre.
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.