The Finca El Empecinado Reserva 2018 is a powerful and elegant red wine from one of Spain's most prestigious wine regions: Ribera del Duero. This wine is the flagship of Bodegas Vega Real (part of Barbadillo) and is a textbook example of a traditional yet refined Spanish Reserva.
Features
Category
Detail
Winery
Finca El Empecinado (Bodegas Vega Real)
Region (DO)
Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
Year
2018
Grape variety
100% Tempranillo (locally known as Tinta del País )
Maturation
Approximately 22 to 24 months in French and/or American oak barrels.
Style
Powerful, complex and matured red wine.
Special feature
Made from hand-harvested grapes from 45-year-old vines at an altitude of 800-900 metres (viticultura heroica).
Tasting notes
This Reserva from the top year 2018 combines the power of Tempranillo with the complexity of long wood aging:
Colour: Intense cherry red (rojo picota) with a brick-red rim, indicating its long maturation.
Nose: Full, intense, and layered. The aromas of ripe red and black fruit (plums, blackcurrants) are beautifully integrated with the complexity of the barrel aging: vanilla, cocoa, spicy notes, and light balsamic hints.
Palate: Powerful yet harmonious. The palate is intense with a velvety edge and excellent structure. The tannins are well-integrated and sweet, creating a full and balanced mouthfeel.
Finish: Very long and persistent, with the complexity of the oak and the fruit that lingers.
Food Pairing
As a classic Reserva, this wine is the perfect partner for hearty dishes:
Red Meat: Grilled steaks, lamb, or roast beef.
Game & Stews: Rich, traditional Spanish stews ( guisos ) or game dishes.
Dried Meats: Spanish Ibérico ham and other cured meats.
Hard Cheeses: Aged, strong cheeses such as Manchego.
In short: The Finca El Empecinado Reserva 2018 is a mature, powerful and balanced Ribera del Duero that is already excellent to drink now, but can also be kept for a number of years.
