Portia Prima La Encina 2018
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Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
It matches with any kind of meat and mushrooms rice. Some tasty or oily fish such as tuna or cod. Medium-aged cheese such as emmental or gruyere.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A warm balsamic essence along with dark plum and berry scents push the nose on this Tinto Fino. Scrubbing tannins are out front on a healthy palate, while this pops with dark berry flavors and toasty oak. A steady finish shows power and youthful energy, so drink now or hold through 2030.
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James Suckling
A tight, fruity red with plum, chocolate and light vanilla character. Medium body and a firm, silky finish. Shows precision and structure.
Other Vintages
2016- Decanter
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Tasting
Panel
Construction of the spectacular $25.6-million Portia winemaking facility is currently in progress. Commissioned by the Martinez family, the project represents the first ever winery designed by internationally famed architect Norman Foster, head of the London-based design team, Foster + Partners.
The property embraces 400 acres of terrain enjoying an eastern and southern orientation in Ribera del Duero. Vineyards are planted chiefly with Tempranillo (known locally as Tinta Fina) at an average density of 1,200 vines per acre.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
Ribera del Duero, Spanish wine region, is located in northen Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive from Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back more than 2000 years, it was in the 1980s that 9 wineries applied for and were granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 300 wineries call Ribera del Duero home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names.
Notable Facts Ribera’s main grape variety, Tempranillo, locally know as Tinto Fino, is perfectly suited to the extreme climate of the region, where it must survive scorching summers and frigid winters. Low yields resulting from conscientious tending to old vines planted in Ribera’s diverse soils types, give Ribera wines a distinctive depth and complexity not found in other Tempranillos. Rich and full-bodied, the spice, dark fruit and smoky flavors in a bold Ribera del Duero will pair well with roasted and grilled meats, Mexican food and tomato-based sauces.