Dominio del Aguila Tempranillo Blend 2016 ‘Picaro Tinto’ Ribera del Duero

As a young student of oenology, Jorge Monzón traveled to Burgundy and despite not speaking a word of French nor having any recommendations let alone experience, he convinced Domaine La Romanée-Conti to take him on as an intern. His eagerness and desire to learn led him to shadowing maître de chai, Bernard Noblet, observing all the steps he took to create the famed wines of this historic Domaine.

Returning to Ribera del Duero, and his hometown of La Aguilera, Jorge worked a couple of years at Vega Sicilia before becoming technical director at Arzuaga-Navarro. While working for others, Jorge began purchasing old vineyards around La Aguilera – parcels in danger of being ripped up and replaced with more productive clones of Tempranillo as well as “fashionable” Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.

His vineyards are predominately Tempranillo with a wide genetic diversity along side Albillo, Tempranillo Gris, Carinena, Garnacha, Bobal, Brunal and other varieties so obscure that they haven’t been identified yet. Ranging in age from 60-150+ years old, it is surprising that these vines survived at all.

Farming is certified organic, with natural yeast, whole cluster co-fermentations and pigeage done by foot. After primary fermentation, the wines are placed in oak barrels for malo and aging. Their cold, subterranean cellars ensure that the evolution of their wines proceeds slowly, allowing for the development of greater complexity and nuance.

“The Picaro Tinto … is fragrant, expressive, open, aromatic and really attractive. The palate is really balanced, with great freshness, fine tannins and a very pleasant mouthfeel – supple, balanced and with great depth. This is the best version of this bottling so far.”
-Luis Gutierrez, 93+ Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

This is the Coolest Wine of the Week.

Please enter coupon code, COOLWINE, during checkout to receive an additional 15% discount, when you purchase six bottles of the same wine in this sale. Offer valid through 3/17/2019 at 11:59 p.m. PT or until supply is sold out. This offer is valid only on www.wineranger.com. Applicable taxes and shipping are additional. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. No adjustments to prior purchases.