2023 Pruno Ribera del Duero, Finca Villacreces
In the Glass — Tasting Notes
Red berries and balsamic meld into chocolate and well-knit tannins, finishing with real freshness rather than weight. This Tempranillo-led blend from younger estate vines is lifted by Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented separately in steel then aged in French oak. The result sits somewhere between juicy and serious: concentrated fruit and vibrant acidity from the region's challenging 2023 vintage, without the heaviness that high ripeness can bring.
The Winery — Finca Villacreces
Finca Villacreces occupies the 'golden mile' of Ribera del Duero, neighbour to Vega Sicilia itself, in the heart of the appellation. Acquired by Izadi in 2003, the 155-hectare estate has been farmed organically since then, using canopy management and natural treatments instead of chemicals. Sandy, quartz-rich soils suit Tempranillo beautifully here, giving the wine its fleshy generosity while preserving mineral backbone. Fermented separately in steel and aged in French oak, the 2023 shows how organic viticulture and natural winemaking can capture the best of the vintage's extreme heat and concentration.
At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving
Pair confidently with grilled lamb chops, braised beef, mushroom-forward dishes, or aged Manchego and good charcuterie. At 14.5% ABV, this won't overpower your table—it's designed to drink now alongside food or age a few years if you prefer it to deepen and develop further complexity. It's equally at home at a weeknight supper as it is at Sunday lunch with roasts or game. The Spain selection across our merchant list showcases regional diversity, and this stands as one of the finest examples of Tempranillo we've found at this price and vintage. Organic certification and natural cork closure, plus a 91-point score from James Suckling, tell you this is taken seriously—the kind of bottle that reminds you why Ribera del Duero's reputation keeps climbing.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.