Bodegas Protos : Reserva 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for Reserva 2018 from Bodegas Protos

Tasting

Color

The color shows a deep cherry hue with garnet highlights, intense and brilliant.

Nose

The nose reveals an intense aromatic palette dominated by black fruits, alongside notes of licorice and subtle toasted aromas. Hints of vanilla round out this complex bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is smooth, with a slightly chalky texture. Well-balanced acidity supports a structure with firm, medium-grained tannins. The finish is persistent and harmonious, leaving a remarkable impression of complexity.

Food and wine pairings

This Reserva 2018 is an ideal match for grilled or roasted red meats, smoked preparations, as well as truffle dishes. It also pairs beautifully with milk-fed lamb, dry-aged beef, and aged sheep’s milk cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Reserva 2018 can be enjoyed now while offering excellent aging potential. It is recommended to serve it between 16 and 18°C.

A Ribera del Duero Tempranillo combining concentration and elegance

The estate

Founded in 1927, Bodegas Protos is the first commercial winery established in the Ribera del Duero region of Castile and León. The estate manages 1,400 hectares of vineyards across three provinces (Valladolid, Burgos and Segovia), cultivated by more than 250 winegrowing families within a cooperative structure that endures to this day. Exclusively dedicated to Tempranillo, the estate stands out for its pioneering commitment to innovation, embodied by its remarkable architectural facilities inaugurated in 2008 and designed by Richard Rogers. Named “Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits in 2013, Bodegas Protos represents a successful synthesis between centuries-old winemaking tradition and cutting-edge oenological research, producing internationally recognized red, white, and rosé wines.

The vineyard

The grapes for Reserva 2018 come from due-south-facing plots located in the province of Burgos, at the heart of the Ribera del Duero appellation. The vines, over 50 years old at harvest, are planted at elevations between 750 and 900 meters on soils composed of a mix of limestone and clay.

Winemaking and aging

The Reserva 2018 harvest was carried out by hand, with grapes transported in 20-kilogram crates to preserve their integrity. After a pre-fermentation cold soak, alcoholic fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks between 26 and 28°C. Total maceration lasted 21 days with daily pump-overs. The wine was then aged for 18 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels: 50% in new French barrels, 30% in once-used French barrels, and 20% in once-used American barrels. After barrel aging, Reserva 2018 underwent a minimum of 24 months of bottle aging before release.

Grape variety

This wine from Castile and León is 100% Tempranillo