Bodegas Protos : Gran Reserva 2015

Characteristics and tasting notes for Bodegas Protos Gran Reserva 2015

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a deep cherry hue with intense garnet highlights. Its brightness and density reflect the wine’s concentration.

Nose

The bouquet is elegant and complex, gradually opening onto aromas of black cherry and dried plum. Secondary notes of tobacco, cedar and cigar box accompany the fruit, while a mineral dimension reminiscent of slate adds finesse. The nose also reveals nuances of cocoa, roasted coffee, dark chocolate and licorice, all harmoniously integrated.

Palate

The attack is broad and fleshy, with a lovely concentration of dark fruit. The tannins are remarkably round and silky, offering a velvety texture typical of a perfectly aged wine. Freshness remains present throughout the tasting, bringing balance and vibrancy. The finish lingers elegantly, leaving mineral and tobacco notes to persist. Overall, it expresses roundness, precision and refinement.

Food and wine pairings

This Gran Reserva 2015 pairs ideally with roasted meats such as lamb, pork and veal. It also matches perfectly with roasted game, slow-cooked dishes and aged cheeses. Grilled beef preparations, duck with fruit, or cooked mushrooms also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Gran Reserva 2015 can be enjoyed now, while also offering significant aging potential for the years ahead.

An iconic Gran Reserva from Ribera del Duero

The estate

Founded in 1927 by eleven visionary childhood friends in Peñafiel, Bodegas Protos stands out as one of the pioneering houses of Ribera del Duero, having registered its brand fifty-five years before the appellation was officially created. Under the general management of Carlos Villar since 2009 and the technical direction of Marilena Bonilla, the estate now oversees around 1,400 hectares of vineyards across Castile and León (Ribera del Duero, Rueda, Cigales). Four grandchildren of the founders still sit on the board of directors, perpetuating the original cooperative spirit. Protos is distinguished by its complete conversion to certified organic viticulture in 2021 and its precision viticulture approach.

The vineyard

The Gran Reserva comes exclusively from small plots of vines over sixty years old, located at around 950 meters of altitude in Ribera del Duero. These plots, with an average size of 0.3 hectare, lie on sandy-clay soils with low fertility. This high altitude promotes an optimal balance between grape ripeness and the preservation of acidity, creating ideal conditions for crafting age-worthy wines.

The vintage

The year 2015 in Castile and León began with a mild winter, followed by a contrasted spring marked by cool temperatures. Summer was defined by a prolonged heatwave from mid-May to mid-August, with exceptional sunshine and periods of drought. These conditions enabled optimal grape maturity, giving rise to an outstanding vintage.

Vinification and aging

The Gran Reserva 2015 harvest was carried out by hand. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks between 26 and 28°C, followed by a three- to four-week maceration with daily pump-overs. The wine was then aged for twenty-four months in oak barrels, made up of 80% French oak and 20% American oak, mostly new. After barrel aging, the wine continued to mature in bottle for at least thirty-six months before release.

Grape variety

100% tinta del país (tempranillo), from vines over sixty years old.