Protos Carroa 2021
Protos Carroa 2021 is a dry, full-bodied red from Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero, Spain), in the rich, smooth reds style. Tannins are moderate and acidity fresh; oak influence is noticeable. Good with lamb, roast pork, steak, beef stew. Drink now or within 25 years (to about 2046). Decant for about 1 hour. Critic score 95/100 (merchant-reported).
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodegas Valdemar Conde de Valdemar Edicion Limitada 2020 Bodegas Valdemar · Rioja | £31.42 | |||
| Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva 2019 Marques de Riscal · Rioja | £44.98 | |||
| Artuke Finca de los Locos 2024 Artuke · Rioja | £21.13 | |||
| Torre de Ona, Finca San Martin Rioja Crianza 2021 | £17.50 |
Drink it now or cellar for up to 25 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. Located in Peñafiel, Valladolid, Protos is the first commercial winery in the history of Ribera del Duero, founded in 1927. Today, the company owns around 100 hectares of vineyards and produces excellent wines from native grape varieties. Protos Carroa is a red wine of great character, produced with Tinta del Pais grapes (the local name for Tempranillo) from a series of over fifty-year-old vineyards located at high altitudes in the province of Burgos. After manual harvesting and vinification, the finished wine ages for 16 months in French oak, followed by eight months in large vats and a final aging in concrete eggs before bottling. The name Carroa pays homage to the village of Roa, its surroundings, and the winemaking tradition of the Ribera del Duero, drawing inspiration from the ancient Camino a Roa trail. In the glass, the wine reveals an intense cherry-red color and a broad, expressive aromatic profile that releases notes of ripe black and red fruits, hints of vanilla and baking spices, and toasted touches. On the palate, it is velvety, fruity, and generous. It has a perfectly integrated, refreshing acidity and smooth tannins. It is elegant, round, and harmonious with a long, delicately spicy finish. Leave it in the cellar for a few years or serve it immediately with beef brisket or roast pork belly.