Aire de Protos Rosé 2025
Protos high-altitude rosé: finesse, freshness, and the essence of Cigales
Aire de Protos Rosé 2025, the rosé from Protos originating from the D.O. Cigales, combines tempranillo, garnacha, verdejo, albillo, and viura from vineyards on elevated ground and scree soils. Fresh, elegant, and complex, it invites you to discover its delicate personality. Let yourself be seduced by its magic.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
Consumption time
General features
General Information
The grapes originate from vineyards in the D.O. Cigales region, predominantly located on parcels at high altitude and ranging in age from 20 to 50 years, including exceptional plots over 80 years old. The soils are well-drained, rich in sands and coarse elements (pebbles), with areas of scree that limit vigour, promote moderate ripening, and add finesse and aromatic complexity. The 2025 harvest experienced vigorous budding and accelerated ripening due to an extreme summer; early-ripening varieties were harvested ahead of schedule, and throughout the cycle, strict health controls were maintained in response to isolated downy mildew episodes. The varieties used are: 45% Tempranillo, 35% Garnacha, 10% Verdejo, 5% Albillo, and 5% Viura; viticulture focuses on parcel selection and management aimed at producing concentrated, balanced fruit.
The production combines careful techniques and state-of-the-art technology to control extraction and protect the must from oxidation. The must is obtained cold, either by direct pressing or after a brief maceration depending on the variety, and remains in contact with its lees for 10 days at low temperature to enhance aromatic profile and add softness. After fermentation, the wine undergoes a minimum of 4 months' ageing on fine lees, gaining breadth, a silky texture, and aromatic stability without losing its freshness and delicacy.
It is crafted by Protos, a renowned winery that applies technological modernisation and precision practices to reflect the vineyard's character. The project demonstrates a clear focus on expressing the terroir of Cigales and seeking elegance and purity in the wines; this philosophy is reflected in the selection of high-altitude parcels, rigorous health quality control, and oenological techniques that preserve varietal finesse.
On the plate, this pale, fragrant rosé pairs well with grilled or oven-baked fish, seafood rice dishes, warm salads with fruits, and fresh cheeses; its fresh and silky profile also complements Mediterranean cuisine, light tapas, and pasta dishes with mild sauces.
Tasting notes
Appearance: Pale, luminous pink colour, with a delicate elegance.
Nose: Fragrant and expressive, with notes of white fruit, peach, fresh citrus fruits, and a subtle background of red berries, well integrated with great finesse.
Palate: Fresh and harmonious entry; smooth, round, and balanced palate, with good breadth, silky texture, and a long, elegant, and refreshing finish.
The winery
Winery
Protos was (except for Vega Sicilia) the first winery of Ribera del Duero: founded in 1927 as a cooperative after the union of 11 winegrowers from the area, and one of the wineries that promoted the creation of the Denomination of Origin in Ribera del Duero (1982). Today, it is one of the most important wineries in Spain, and its wines are sold in 100 countries across five continents.
Located in Peñafiel, where the old and new wineries are connected by an underground tunnel. The old winery, exclusively dedicated to aging, has 2 kilometers of underground galleries carved into the mountain on which the castle stands, where the wines are aged under optimal natural conditions. The new facilities, with a spectacular design by the prestigious architect Richard Rogers, place Protos at the forefront of the wine and wine tourism scene. In fact, it is the most visited winery in the D.O. Ribera del Duero and was the first nationally to achieve the "mark of excellence" certificate by the prestigious international body Superbrands. Additionally, in 2013, Protos was recognized as "Winery of the Year" by Wine & Spirit magazine, and in 2022, it was named one of the 50 most admired wineries in the world by the prestigious international organization Drinks International.
Bodegas Protos owns 150 hectares of its own vineyards and also sources from its associates to craft its elegant wines. This carefully managed but extensive viticulture potential allows the allocation of each grape bunch to a specific type of wine. Another cornerstone of its philosophy is the constant renewal of its barrel stock (with a maximum of 4 years). Since 2006, Protos has also been present in the D.O. Rueda, where it produces Verdejo whites following the same high-quality standards. More recently, in 2019, it announced its entry into the D.O. Cigales.