Not only does the Wine Enthusiast rate this the top vintage for 12 Linajes…they actually rate it equal to the $150 Pinea 2014. (The Ribera del Duero wine Sergio Garcia famously served at his Masters dinner.)
They say:
Blackberry, leather and plum aromas are inviting. This wine is full and lush on the palate, with grippy tannins. Oaky berry flavors are accented by spice and chocolate notes, while the finish brings pronounced coffee and mocha flavors. Drink through 2025.
The Spanish Penin Guide gives it their top 12 Linajes rating ever, too:
Colour: deep cherry. Nose: ripe fruit, dried herbs, creamy oak, spicy, mineral. Palate: powerful, ripe fruit, spicy, round tannins.
The most recent review is from Canadian wine writer David Lawrason, who says:
This is 100% tempranillo grown at high altitude on 70-year-old vines planted in calcerous clay soils. It pours quite deep colour and shows a lifted, fragrant nose of fresh cedar, blackberry, shrub and spice. It is medium-full bodied with firm, balanced acidity and warm alcohol. Nice sense of grip and youth despite being almost seven years on. Still fairly tannic. Very good density and length. Best 2024 to 2030.
I had this recently with lamb and it was sensational: very dark, rich and full (especially for Tempranillo), but still with loads of Spanish character.
There are A LOT of $50 Ribera del Dueros that aren’t this good. And surely none of this quality and maturity for only $20.
