Top 100 Ribera del Duero 2024

The 2021 Carroa is 100% Tinto Fino from the Burgos side of Ribera del Duero, made from heritage vine selections. It was aged 16 months in French oak barrels, eight months in 12,500-liter French oak vats and finished in 1,900-liter concrete eggs. Garnet in color, it opens with red fruit, balsamic tones and a hint of camphor, layered with blackberry, graphite and tomato leaf. The texture is fine, with delicate tannins and a juicy mid-palate. The finish hints at chalk. Long and complex. A fresh take on Ribera with finesse and charm.

Very accomplished inaugural release of this wine, Protos will only produce in exceptional vintages and introduces an interesting stylistic exploration that departs from the producer's more traditional labels. It pays tribute to the village of Roa and its people ('Carroa' means 'road to Roa'), whose work and vineyards are at the core of Ribera's and Protos' identity. It spent 16 months in French oak barrels, followed by 8 months in foudre and a final integration in concrete eggs. Distinctly mineral and round, with a refreshing chalkiness on the mid-palate, and polished vividness to the blackberry, blackcurrant and cherry fruit. Sandalwood, sage abd cherry leaf add a savoury, pure outline throughout. Briny finish with a tail of salty liquorice. Great ageing potential. Pair with osso buco and wild boar.

A stylish, fluid red, with a dense core of fine-grained tannins enmeshed in a silky texture. Offers a pure beam of juicy cassis, plus enticing accents of anise hyssop, mountain herbs, mocha and toasted cumin. Long and detailed on the creamy finish.

Vibrant dark earth and fruit combine with a backbone of sweet oak, creating intriguing aromatics from the start. While this wine is very much about decadence- with every element seemingly happening at once- an underlying sleekness holds it all together.

Good depth, with aromas of meat, spices, blackberries and cocoa powder. Full-bodied, structured and tightly wound, with powerful, chalky tannins and a long, firm but polished finish. A very good Ribera del Duero that’s not just oaky and powerful, but also shows some restraint and precision.