Protos Gran Reserva 2018
The classic elegance of Ribera del Duero, in its most long-lasting and refined version
Protos Gran Reserva 2018 is the noblest and most long-lasting expression of Ribera del Duero, made with grapes from very old vineyards and aged patiently for over five years. A deep, elegant, and silky wine that embodies the essence of a pioneering and iconic winery.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
Grape variety
100% Tempranillo
Type of barrel
French oak barrels (80%) and American (20%)
Barrel aging time
24 months
Capacity (cl)
75
General Information
Protos Gran Reserva 2018 is an oenological gem born from very old vineyards, over 60 years old, cultivated in small plots averaging just 0.3 hectares. It is crafted by one of the great names in Spanish wine, Bodegas Protos, a pioneer in the D.O. Ribera del Duero since its founding in 1927. Its name, which means “first” in Greek, reflects its visionary character: it was the second winery in the region (only after Vega Sicilia), even before the official creation of the designation of origin in 1982, to which it actively contributed. Located at the foot of the Peñafiel Castle, Protos combines tradition and innovation in its facilities, with over 2 km of underground galleries for the natural aging of its wines and a modern winery designed by the prestigious architect Richard Rogers. Its philosophy is based on excellence: it limits yields to 5,000 kg/ha (below the maximum allowed), meticulously selects each cluster, and constantly renews its barrel stock. All of this enables it to produce wines that combine elegance, complexity, and authenticity, consolidating its prestige both in Spain and in international markets.
Protos Gran Reserva 2018 has been aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels (80%) and American oak barrels (20%). After this period, it was refined with a minimum rest of 36 months in the bottle, which has granted it exceptional complexity and elegance. The result is a profound wine, with great aging potential and an impeccable structure.
This Gran Reserva is the perfect companion for big game dishes, traditional stews, red meats, truffle or foie gras recipes, and aged cheeses. It also pairs perfectly with Iberian cured meats and intense spoon dishes.
Tasting notes
In appearance, dark and intense cherry red color with a garnet rim. It is expressive and complex. The tertiary aromas evoke a wide range of nuances that remind us of stewed fruit, cocoa, tobacco, mineral notes, toasted hints, and light smokiness. Very rounded tannins and a long aftertaste, with great aging potential. This wine offers us a long and silky finish, characteristic of the gran reserva style of Bodegas Protos.
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.