The vineyards of Ribera del Duero stretch 70 kms along the Duero River which snakes through the autonomous community of Castilla y León, two hours north of Madrid. Most of the region sits on the elevated plateau of the Iberian peninsula at around 800 m.a.s.l. The Duero River is the same that flows through Portugal and provides the foundation for all of the great Port houses to grow their grapes in the Douro Valley. When this region gained its designation in 1982 there were only 9 wineries and approximately 15,000 acres of vineyards; today, there are almost 300 wineries and roughly 55,000 acres under production.
The Wine
The lion’s share of grapes grown in Ribera del Duero belongs to Tempranillo (known there as Tinto Fino) and represents almost 90% of all varietals planted. The winemaking at Montecastro is very technically skilled with extended maceration times, slow fermentations and the use of native yeasts. French oak barrels are used to age the wine for 17 months before bottle ageing which allows the wine to settle into its distinct character.
The lion’s share of grapes grown in Ribera del Duero belongs to Tempranillo (known there as Tinto Fino) and represents almost 90% of all varietals planted. The winemaking at Montecastro is very technically skilled with extended maceration times, slow fermentations and the use of native yeasts. French oak barrels are used to age the wine for 17 months before bottle ageing which allows the wine to settle into its distinct character.
Dark ruby in colour, with concentrated aromas of black fruit and plums on the nose. The palate offers layers of subtle spice, leather and a smoky complexity. Smooth tannins and a long, intense finish. Superb offering from the well-regarded team at Montecastro!
Fun Fact
This winery was started in 2000 as a partnership of Spanish legends Julio Iglesias and Pedro J. Ramirez. Their founding of the winery attracted the talents of French enologist Bertrand Erhard who helped develop the identity and mission of the label. Excitingly, in 2012, Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio buys a share of the winery, bringing along the prodigious winemaking talents of Peter Sisseck, of Dominio Pingus fame (hello $1,000+ a bottle Ribera!) The rest is history as Montecastro continues to get better every year.
This winery was started in 2000 as a partnership of Spanish legends Julio Iglesias and Pedro J. Ramirez. Their founding of the winery attracted the talents of French enologist Bertrand Erhard who helped develop the identity and mission of the label. Excitingly, in 2012, Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio buys a share of the winery, bringing along the prodigious winemaking talents of Peter Sisseck, of Dominio Pingus fame (hello $1,000+ a bottle Ribera!) The rest is history as Montecastro continues to get better every year.
Food pairings: big, juicy ribeyes...or T-bones...or any kind of grilled beef.