Portia Crianza 2016
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James
Suckling -
Wilfred
Wong -
Wine &
Spirits
Product Details
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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.
Blend: 100% Tempranillo
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has an impressive, ripe dark-fruit nose with hints of coffee and cedar, too. The palate has a very succulent and attractively rich and composed edge with a glossy and even-paced feel. There’s a lot to like here. Drink or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2016 Portia Crianza brings a New World spin with its palate presence. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits bold black fruit and rich oaky notes in its aromas and flavors. Enjoy it with grilled, Argentine-styled beef. (Tasted: August 11, 2021, Oakland, CA)
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Wine & Spirits
Perhaps it’s the influence of Portia’s owners, the Riojanas behind Faustino: This is an elegant style of Ribera del Duero, light in color, brisk and cool in its high-elevation character. Scents of violets, rosemary and thyme follow its spicy acidity in a long line. It’s ready to decant for jamón Ibérico.
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.