2020 Finca Villacreces Pruno Ribera del Duero – buy online

WHO? Finca Villacreces is often hailed by Robert Parker as the “hidden gem of Ribera del Duero.” The estate is located in the heart of the Ribera del Duero DO appellation, forming part of the ‘golden mile’ alongside its neighbor Vega Sicilia to the west, Pingus, and other prestigious producers. The vineyards are managed according to organic practices, respecting the environment to achieve the maximum expression of terroir.

WHERE? The grapes for Pruno come exclusively from Finca Villacreces’ own vineyards, mostly from younger vines. The soil is of mixed composition: sand, gravel, and quartz. The grape variety is expectedly dominated by 90% Tempranillo (mostly grown on sandy terrain, imparting seductive freshness to the wines) and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (predominantly grown on quartz-rich soils, bringing an unmatched mineral component and deepening complexity).

WHY? Pruno is the most recent project of the Villacreces winery, dating back just a few years, with the intention of creating a wine that can be enjoyed earlier than their flagship wines. It has a deep, intense color with ruby hues. On the nose, aromas of red berries dominate, with hints of caramel from aging in French oak supporting the strong fruitiness on the palate. Ripe cherry and licorice lead to a long, juicy finish.

James Suckling – 90 pts