Grapes: 97% Tempranillo (Tinta del Pais), 3% Blanca del Pais
Vintage: 2006
Color: Red
This wine was first created in 1989 by current winemaker, Ricardo Peñalba’s father, to honor his mother. This wine style, new at the time, helped usher in the style of vinos autors or high expression wines. In the beginning Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot played a major role in the composition of the wine. Now Ricardo is focusing more on traditional varieties including the now rarely planted Blanca del Pais, which adds increased viscosity and helps bind color in the wine.
The 2006 came from the historic head-trained vines of the pagos Valdecañal (75 years old), Adrián (55 years old) and Centenos (77 years old). Centenos was one of the last parcels to ripen due to its higher elevation (880 meters) and higher proportion of clay. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks for alcoholic. 50% of the wine saw malolactic in tank and 50% in barrels. All of the wine was aged for a total of 23 months in French oak barrels. Ricardo chose to use nearly all second fill barrels for the maturation of this vintage as he felt this harvest was very rich in grape taste and aromas.
The 2006 Torre Albeniz Reserva contains 97% Tempranillo and 3% Blanca del Pais (added for increased viscosity and to help bind color). The fruit was sourced from specific old vine sites (55-73 years of age) and was aged for 23 months in second fill French oak. Purple/black in color, the nose offers up mineral, espresso, pencil lead, lavender, Asian spices, and blackberry. It delivers greater depth and concentration than the Torremilanos bottling and will benefit from another 4-6 years of cellaring to fully blossom. Drink this impressive offering from 2015 to 2026 if not longer. Issue 188, April 2010
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
91
Bright ruby. Intriguing aromas of redcurrant, cherry, iron and tobacco, with subtle floral and herbal accents; smells like a traditional Bordeaux. Graceful and nicely focused, with fresh red fruit flavors that stain the palate. Suave and fat-free wine with very good clarity and a lingering floral quality. Issue 152, Sept/Oct 2010
Wine & Spirits Magazine
92
Harvested from three old-vine tempranillo vineyards, this includes three percent of the rare blanca del pais. It’s a modern style of Ribera, feeling polished with a voluptuous texture. Ripe blackberry flavors cascade into the mouth, making for a complete and decadently juicy wine that finishes smooth, without any rough edges. Pour this in winter with a steak. Year's Best Ribera del Duero
Issue 3003, June 2011
