Quite a powerful and nicely chewy wine that manages to maintain its balance, which shows the power and potential of Ribera del Duero. Ripe but fresh blackberries, dark minerals and sweet spices with a balsamic touch. Masses of tannins delivered in a chalky, tense form. Long and still quite youthful. Certainly ambitious and structural.

'Top 100' Tim Atkin Ribera del Duero 2024 Special Report

Beautiful integration of alcohol, tannins and wood, in this really fresh and lifted Gran Reserva, deliciously iodine with seaweed leading the aromas, followed by sage, tobacco and cedar. The core weaves plum, prune, sour cherry and pink grapefruit, with a liquorice kick lingering on the long, salty finish. Still plenty of life in bottle with promise of interesting development.

The 2017 Protos Gran Reserva is 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero. It was aged for 24 months in barrel (80% French oak, 20% American oak) and 36 months in bottle before release. Aromas include balsamic, bay leaf, underbrush, blackberry, preserves and red fruit. The palate is compact, with active, present tannins and ripe fruit. A balsamic streak lingers on the finish. Structured and expressive, shaped by a warm vintage. Complex.

A slight savoriness on the nose of this wine is met by a beautifully lush palate, which captivates immediately. The fruit is fresh and almost perfectly poised, with a streamlined precision. At the moment, the tannins are a bit fierce, but the future