Dominio del Aguila - Ribera del Duero - Peñas Aladas Gran Reserva - Rouge - 2018

Wine:

Crafted from a selection of small scattered plots, located on the village's oldest vines facing the cool air, the 2018 Red Ribera del Duero Peñas Aladas Gran Reserva delivers a fantastic expression of wine. This enclave, surrounded by pine, juniper, and woods, and situated on sandy and stony soils, is perfect for Tempranillo blended with other local varieties. All the grapes were co-fermented using indigenous yeasts, and the wine was aged for nearly five years in barrels. The result is a floral and elegant wine, of pure refinement, where the oak is fully integrated and melted into the wine. It's a subtle, mineral wine of incredible elegance, born from a cool year that suits it perfectly. Already a cult favorite! (Rated 100/100 by Parker for the 2016 vintage, this one is yet to be rated but is expected to score highly again).

Vinification:

Hand-harvested. Very old vines, well over one hundred years old, planted at an altitude of 870-890 meters. Fermented in concrete tanks with indigenous yeasts, 100% whole bunches traditionally crushed. Natural malolactic fermentation and 53 months' ageing in mainly French oak barrels in underground cellars. No fining or filtration before hand bottling.

As these are very old Tempranillo vines, other local red and white varieties such as Albillo, Bruñal, Garnacha, Bobal, Cariñera... are also grown.

Certified organic wine.

Color:

Deep dark red.

Nose:

Intensely fragrant, with red and black fruits underpinned by a spicy background.

Palate:

Rich and powerful, with a velvety tannic structure, beautiful minerality, delicate floral notes and perfectly ripe red fruit.

Temperature:

Serve between 14 and 16°C.

Food and wine pairing:

Hare terrine à la royale, duck breast with green pepper, herb-crusted prime rib, roast lamb mouse, venison with pepper sauce.

Cellar aging:

From now until 2034.

A standout figure in Spanish winemaking, Jorge Monzon has honed his skills with global stars like Romanée Conti and Vega Sicilia. At his Dominio del Aguila vineyard, which is managed organically and incorporates biodynamic practices, he has excelled for over a decade in crafting intensely focused wines, treated with the care of grand crus. 

Marking the pinnacle of his success, he has even entered the pantheon by joining Pingus in the exclusive circle of wines from Ribera del Duero that have achieved a perfect 100/100 score from Parker.