There is no doubt that Protos Crianza is the quintessential wine for meat. Its character and potency, honed during its two-year maturation, make it the ideal companion for cheeks, game meats, and even the most intense cheeses. A glass of this tempranillo with a fine dish of oxtail? Some three Michelin-starred establishments would envy it! However, what no one tells you is that tasting this red wine comes with a risk: you won't want to stop drinking it for anything in the world.
Protos Crianza is one of those wines you don't want to part with. Originating from Peñafiel, in the heart of the DO Ribera del Duero, this red is crafted by Protos, one of Spain's premier wineries, with the guidance of the esteemed oenologist Pascal Chatonnet. We doubt you haven't heard of either, but just in case, we assure you that almost everything you learn about them will delight you. Very few reach the same levels and standards of quality that this company, established in 1927, strives to maintain in each of its vineyards. In the case of Protos Crianza, the grapes are sourced from old vineyards, over 30 years old, growing on infertile, sandy-loam soils, and very low in organic matter. In this region, just southeast of Castilla y León, the climate is marked by dry, hot summers and cold, long winters, with sub-zero frosts and significant temperature variations between day and night. These thermal fluctuations, far from posing a problem, actually enhance the grape's maturation, facilitating the deposition of anthocyanins (the polyphenols responsible for giving the berries their colour).
Protos Crianza is harvested manually, in 20 kg boxes that are transported to the winery. Even in the field, at the base of the vine, a selection is made; but this will not be the only one, as upon arrival at the winery, the clusters of Protos Crianza will be reviewed and chosen again, ensuring only the finest proceed to the fermentation tanks. This step, into which Protos has invested years of study and research, will be carried out using a selection of indigenous yeasts that will capture the purest character of the DO Ribera del Duero in the wine.
Once this process is complete, Protos Crianza undergoes a two-year maturation in oak barrels and bottles. The first phase, lasting at least 14 months, takes place in French and American oak barrels; the second, which takes approximately another year, occurs in the tranquillity of the winery, right after bottling.
Although, as mentioned at the beginning, Protos Crianza is perfect for meat, this red will pair beautifully with any other option you can think of. There is no need for many excuses or pretensions to simply enjoy Protos Crianza, don't you think?