2021 Montecastro Ribera del Duero Valladolid Spain

“Ribera del Duero is like Rioja’s younger brother, but one that grew up to be bigger and brawnier than its sibling.” Wine Spectator.

Ribera del Duero is a paradise for wine lovers. Within this wine region, you’ll find some of the most unique, exceptional, south-after examples of Spanish wines.

The 2021 Montecastro Ribera del Duero is no ordinary wine. Born from the vision of passionate wine enthusiasts, this wine takes you on a sensory journey straight to the high-altitude vineyards of Castrillo de Duero, Valladolid, where the magic happens. Set between 860 and 930 metres above sea level, Montecastro’s vines thrive under the watchful eye of nature and the skilled hands of an expert team led by Carlos de la Fuente, a close collaborator of legendary winemaker Peter Sisseck.

Montecastro was founded in 2000, when a group of friends and entrepreneurs decided to create a project that would speak volumes in the wine world. The vineyard spans 27 hectares, mostly planted with Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), with just a sprinkle of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 2014, Hacienda Monasterio’s team, led by Carlos del Río González-Gordon, acquired Montecastro, bringing with them their expertise and commitment to excellence.

Here, modern winemaking meets tradition. The winery, designed by Roberto Valle, blends harmoniously into its surroundings, incorporating local materials like white stone and wood. All wines are crafted in thermoregulated concrete tanks, preserving the fruit’s essence and allowing for a smooth vinification process that is as innovative as it is precise.

This is a wine that can easily elevate your dining experience. Whether you're indulging in roasted lamb, grilled steaks, or a rich mushroom risotto, the Montecastro will bring balance and depth to every bite.

Aging: Montecastro spends 8 months in new French oak barrels, followed by an additional 10 months in second and third-use French oak

Deep cherry red, intense and almost impenetrable, with a beautiful garnet rim Aromatically captivating. It opens with fine toasted notes, evolving into ripe dark fruit aromas like blackberries and blueberries, followed by layers of black plums, asphalt, dark chocolate, and a touch of balsamic undertones. Elegant yet full-bodied. A lively acidity balances the fruit intensity, offering a smooth and harmonious finish. Tannins are polished, leading to a long, persistent finale that leaves you wanting more.

They are changing the wines to be careful with the extraction, to keep the freshness from the high-altitude vineyards and control the alcohol level, which is already visible in the 2021 Montecastro, even if the wine finished at 14.8% when they picked the grapes at 14% (it will be seen in future years, when they picked grapes at 13.5%). It's 97% Tempranillo and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon that fermented in concrete and matured in French oak barrels, 20% of them new, for 16 months. It's dark, with ripe dark berry fruit and measured oak in the shape of spices and toast, nicely integrated and with some creaminess. It is fresh (with a pH of 3.6), modern and clean, with some opulence. It has a velvety, tender texture and is elegant and polished, with round tannins. 120,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2023. ~92 Wine Advocate

~92 Tim Atkin, Master of Wine

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