Pairs with: Ragù topped with shaved manchego cheese

Good for: A Friday night dinner with friends 

Grape: Tempranillo

I am from: Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain 

The Story:  Palacios Vinos de Finca is the reflection of Javier Palacios, born from his heart, vision, talent, and land. During a trip to Burgundy Javier discovered a way of working the land that he wanted to transfer to his own project. This agricultural vocation of pampering historical vineyards and making unique and recognizable wines with their fruits, inspired the work of the whole team.

The winery collaborates with two great wine personalities: Pedro Parra y Alberto Antonini. Pedro Parra is one of the world's leading experts on terroir, calling himself a "terroirist". Antonini brings wines of uniqueness, looking for drinkable and understandable wine profiles, direct and connected to the earth. The oenologist is committed to making wines that convey the places from which they come, above and beyond commercial products: "We seek the texture, the magical combination of land, climate and variety that gives our wines their finesse, energy and vitality".

The obsession with the territory is expressed in Palacio Vinos de Finca's wineries in Ribera del Duero and Rioja, two regions where sustainable viticulture is used and where the vocation for wines linked to origin is at the heart of everything.

The properties are located at altitudes of around 750 metres in Albelda de Iregua and Nalda, 650 metres in Badarán and between 480 and 550 metres in Briones and San Asensio, forming a mosaic of territories that provide a perfect setting for the production of wines from La Rioja. The altitude is also one of the most important parameters in Ribera del Duero, seeking a fresher expression of fine red wine and balanced maturation. Micro plots found in estates such as Moradillo, Roa, Peñaranda or Baños de Valdearados.

Why You’ll Love Me: Bright black cherry notes with hints of vanilla, walnut, and warm spice. Great depth, and a long smooth finish. Intense yet elegant, with an intense fruit character, soft oak and hints of cinnamon and spices as well as a touch of minerality to the finish.