92 Pts Wine Enthusiast

"Pure, soft, balanced and classy, with raisin, earth and fine leather on the nose. The palate is warm and smooth, with lasting acidity that creates juicy cherry, plum and fresh tomato flavors. On the finish, chocolate and caramel enter the picture. Complex and still vital. Drink now through 2013." 92 Points - Wine Enthusiast

"Full red. Cherry and oak spices on the nose, with notes of potpourri and smoky herbs adding complexity. Smoky cherry and dried redcurrant flavors are framed by dusty tannins and enlivened by a gentle kick of acidity. Gains sweetness with air, picking up notes of baking spices and candied rose. Ready to drink but nicely concentrated so there's no rush to pull the cork." 90 Points - Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar

WINE:
"Dark cherry-red colour. In the nose it is very aromatic and elegant, with tones of ripe fruit, fine spices, minerals, truffle, coffee and tea. In the mouth it is very well-structured, and balanced, with good body, but at the same time with great finesse, very velvety, really expressive and elegant. It is very long, and with an aftertaste of ripe fruit." -Winery

VITICULTURE:
"Very rainy winter, with scarce frosts. Grape harvest with low temperatures. The grape harvest started 2nd October. The grapes are picked up by hand and put in small baskets by selecting them from the same vineyard.

Grape Variety: 100% Tinta del País (Tempranillo) -Winery

VINIFICATION:
"Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are made in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. This wine has remained in American Oak barrels during 24 months in an underground cellar and at a constant temperature of 12º. The wine is bottled and is left to stand in the cellar at least a year before selling it." -Winemaker

ESTATE:
"Bodegas Ismael Arroyo S.L. is a family winery that is located in a town of Burgos called Sotillo de la Ribera, in the heart of the Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero. This winery was founded in the year 1979. When there was not yet a denomination of origin. Ismael struggled along with a small number of people in order to create this Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero, which was created in 1982. The tradition of winemaking has been passed down from generation to generation in the family of Ismael Arroyo for 400 years."

"In fact, the winery preserves a document proving how Elpidio Arroyo, father and paternal grandfather of the current generation, won a prize in 1948 in the "Greater competition of Red Wines and rosés of the Ribera del Duero." A glass and 500 pesetas was the award obtained in the year 1951 (1st Award in the Wines County Contest) by Vidal Callejo, maternal grandfather of the current generation. Some other important documents preserved in the cave are a diploma by 1st class wine, granted in the year 1902 and drawn with fountain pen by the engraver Isidro Gil. There is also a document dated in 1787 of the tithe or taxes applied to the wine, which had to be paid to the village, to the church, to the council and to the parish. " -Winery