Protos 1974 Gran Reserva

Wine: Protos 1974 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodega Ribera Duero - Cooperativa de Peñafiel (Peñafiel, Valladolid)
Appellation: Vino de Mesa
Varietals: 100% Tinta del País (Tempranillo)
ABV: 12.4%

Winemaking
Following vinification, the wine spent several months in large wooden tuns to complete malolactic fermentation and stabilize before being transferred to barrels. It was aged for 24 months in semi-seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels. Prior to its commercial release, it rested for a minimum of 36 months in the winery’s subterranean bottle cellars (calados).

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Garnet-cherry of medium depth; clear and bright with reddish highlights. It features a broad, brick-orange rim with a marked contrast between the meniscus and the edge. Thick, persistent legs.

 

Nose: The initial impression is that of a highly recognizable traditional red. It opens with aromas of a marked classical Riojan influence (barnyard, animal notes, fine leather, dried leaves) before gradually revealing a powerful earthy-mineral expression. Notes of licorice root (paloduz), star anise, broom, aromatic herbs, withered flowers, bay leaf, and clove emerge and expand until they dominate the foreground. Authentic and full of character, it offers flashes of ripe fruit in liqueur, almost candied, alongside vanilla and a high-quality vegetal expression of roots, sage, and licorice.

 

Palate: Vibrant on the palate with a fluid energy, excellent acidity, and sweet citrus notes complemented by a piquant touch. It is poised and silky, filled with candied black fruit, sour cherry, and liqueur-like nuances, followed by cocoa powder, elegant bitters, and sweet, ripe tannins. Round and balanced, it possesses a high-quality hint of sweetness and a solid "punch" (pegada) that speaks of its terroir. The finish is broad and savory, with notes of orange marmalade, licorice, and toasted undertones. While not necessarily an "elegant" wine in the strict sense, it overflows with authenticity. A Ribera del Duero that defies modern conventions of over-extraction.

 

Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Score: 92