We're always looking forward to new vintages and releases in the wine world-- particularly when it's from an importer you know and trust: in this case it's Jorge Ordoñez! We've been drinking and selling his wines for many, many years and have found some of the best value and quality out of Spain from bottles with his name on them. Protocolo is another shining example! 100% Tempranillo, this bottling is from the Eguren family and the lovely reddish-pink 'tint' of the bottle may look familiar-- we have featured this lovely wine before! And once again it delivers on so many levels for a fantastic price.
The nose is simply beautiful with scents of mixed red fruits, spice, underbush and touches of citrus and earth. The palate is balanced with red fruits, plum, raspberry coulis, graphite and a hint of mineral earth. The tannins are ample and the acidity keeps the wine fresh.
This drinks way above the sub-$10 price point and is one of the reasons we are such big fans of this importer and winery-- they overdeliver and we, the imbibers, benefit greatly. This is a great wine for October as the weather starts to think about really cooling down-- this wine will perfectly pair with late-season barbecues but also with heartier fare as the mercury drops.
The Eguren family produces Protocolo Tinto, one of the world's best value wines, from vineyards in Manchuela, Rioja, and Toro. They lease vineyards on long term contracts from farmers in Manchuela who grow Tempranillo on the limestone rich soils at high altitudes in this southeastern corner of Spain. The oldest vineyards are 35 years old, grown sustainably, and dry farmed. These conditions reduce yields and result in incredibly balanced but fruit forward Tempranillo. The Eguren family also blends 10-15% of the wine with young estate grown vineyards in Rioja and Toro, which are planted with massal selections from the family's best estate grown plots. For the first 10-15 years of these vineyards' lives, they are used for Protocolo before they graduate into the estate wines of Rioja and Toro.
JEB DUNNUCK 90 POINTS - "From low-yielding vineyards in Castilla-La Mancha, the 2023 Protocolo Tinto spent only three months in barrel, made entirely from Tempranillo (or Tina del pais as it’s known in the region). It offers a leathery, dried-fruit character and appealing rusticity, the tannins quite supple. Medium-bodied, it’s built to be approachable upon release, finessed, fluid, and full of enduring freshness."
The nose is simply beautiful with scents of mixed red fruits, spice, underbush and touches of citrus and earth. The palate is balanced with red fruits, plum, raspberry coulis, graphite and a hint of mineral earth. The tannins are ample and the acidity keeps the wine fresh.
This drinks way above the sub-$10 price point and is one of the reasons we are such big fans of this importer and winery-- they overdeliver and we, the imbibers, benefit greatly. This is a great wine for October as the weather starts to think about really cooling down-- this wine will perfectly pair with late-season barbecues but also with heartier fare as the mercury drops.
The Eguren family produces Protocolo Tinto, one of the world's best value wines, from vineyards in Manchuela, Rioja, and Toro. They lease vineyards on long term contracts from farmers in Manchuela who grow Tempranillo on the limestone rich soils at high altitudes in this southeastern corner of Spain. The oldest vineyards are 35 years old, grown sustainably, and dry farmed. These conditions reduce yields and result in incredibly balanced but fruit forward Tempranillo. The Eguren family also blends 10-15% of the wine with young estate grown vineyards in Rioja and Toro, which are planted with massal selections from the family's best estate grown plots. For the first 10-15 years of these vineyards' lives, they are used for Protocolo before they graduate into the estate wines of Rioja and Toro.
JEB DUNNUCK 90 POINTS - "From low-yielding vineyards in Castilla-La Mancha, the 2023 Protocolo Tinto spent only three months in barrel, made entirely from Tempranillo (or Tina del pais as it’s known in the region). It offers a leathery, dried-fruit character and appealing rusticity, the tannins quite supple. Medium-bodied, it’s built to be approachable upon release, finessed, fluid, and full of enduring freshness."
