Hacienda Monasterio Reserva 2016

Hacienda Monasterio Reserva is a red wine from the D.O. Ribera del Duero made by Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, one of the great wineries of Ribera del Duero. Peter Sisseck, creator of one of Spain's best-known wines, Pingus, and Carlos de la Fuente draw out the grape's full potential, creating wines that reflect and express the qualities of the land where they grew. Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio practises environmentally friendly organic farming, using no pesticides or herbicides. For compost they use vine prunings composted with sheep manure. Hacienda Monasterio Reserva is a blend of Tinto Fino (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%). The grapes come from a south-facing estate with predominantly limestone soil, which allows the variety to bring great elegance and finesse to the wines.

The harvest is done by hand and the grapes are taken to the winery in small plastic crates so they don't break before arriving, keeping all their properties intact. After destemming, the grapes go through a meticulous selection process. Fermentation uses only natural yeasts. Malolactic fermentation takes place in Allier French oak barrels, with racking every three months, which helps separate the wine from the lees. Hacienda Monasterio Reserva ages for 18 months in Allier French oak barrels and then rests in bottle for at least another 12 months before release. A complex, very expressive red from Ribera del Duero and Tinto Fino.