Protos Gran Reserva 2016
92
Tim Atkin
Classic elegance
Gold Medal
Concurso Internacional Mundus Vini
Silver Medal
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Protos Gran Reserva represents the classic elegance of the D.O. Ribera del Duero. Protos, one of the pioneering and most important wineries of this designation, produces it only in the best vintages. This Protos Gran Reserva 2016 received 92 points from Master of Wine Tim Atkin.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
General Information
We are looking at a prestigious label that only comes to light in great vintages. Protos Gran Reserva 2016 is made 100% from tempranillo grapes from very old vines, over 60 years old. These vines yield low quantities of concentrated grapes, ideal for crafting long-aging wines like this one. Manual harvest in 20 kg boxes. Once in the winery, the grapes undergo selection on a sorting table. Maceration with skins and fermentation for 28 days at 28º C. Finally, the wine was aged for 24 months in French oak (80%) and American oak (20%) barrels, followed by an additional 36 months in the bottle.
Protos was - apart from Vega Sicilia - the first winery in Ribera del Duero. It was founded in 1927 after the union of 11 winegrowers and was one of the wineries that promoted the creation of the Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero in 1982. It is located in Peñafiel, where the old winery stands at the foot of the Castle, with 2 km of galleries excavated into the mountain, perfect for wine aging. Connected to it by an underground tunnel, the new Protos winery, designed by Richard Rogers, can be found.
Bodegas Protos knows that achieving quality requires top-notch grapes. That is why, while the D.O. regulations allow a yield of up to 7,000 kg of grapes per hectare, Protos sets a maximum of 5,000 kg. It also boasts an enormous viticulture potential that allows each cluster to be allocated to a specific type of wine. Another pillar of its philosophy is the constant renewal of its barrel stock.
The red Protos Gran Reserva 2016 (D.O. Ribera del Duero) is ideal for pairing with roasted meats, lamb, pork, or beef. It also pairs well with stews, casseroles, big game dishes, and aged cheeses.
Creators' opinion
Color: Intense and bright dark cherry red, with garnet rim.
Nose: Expressive, powerful, complex, elegant, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, caramelized fruit.
Palate: Meaty, powerful, creamy, spicy with a long and silky finish.
The 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.