Protos Reserva 2020

Drink it now or cellar for up to 20 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Protos is a Spanish winery, located in Peñafiel, a town in the Valladolid area, in the Ribera del Duero wine district. Founded in 1927, it was the first winery in the region, and in fact, the name Protos comes from the Greek word for ‘first’. Protos Reserva is a red wine made from 100% Tinta del País (the local name for Tempranillo). The grapes come from vineyards over fifty years old, located in the province of Burgos, at an altitude between 750 and 900 meters. Here, the vines benefit from southern exposure and a Mediterranean microclimate with continental influences, characterized by dry summers, cold winters, and marked temperature variations between day and night. After manual harvesting and vinification, the finished wine ages for a year and a half in a mix of French and American oak and for another two years in bottle before release. The result is a harmonious wine that fully embodies the elegance of Ribera del Duero reds. On the nose, it displays an intense and ripe aromatic profile with fruity notes of plum, black cherry, and blackberry, followed by toasted, balsamic, and baking spice hints. On the palate, it is powerful and balanced, concentrated and smooth, with ripe tannins and a pleasantly refreshing acidity. The finish is long, warm, and persistent, with hints of licorice and spice. It pairs perfectly with grilled red meats and aged Manchego cheese.