Hacienda Monasterio : Reserva Especial 2019

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for the Reserva Especial 2019 from Hacienda Monasterio

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep, bright ruby red with intense violet highlights, reflecting the wine’s youth and concentration.

Nose

The nose displays beautiful aromatic complexity dominated by ripe black fruits such as plum, blackberry, and black cherry. These fruity aromas are joined by mineral notes reminiscent of stone and slate, a hallmark of the vineyard’s limestone soils. Delicate touches of licorice, anise, and violet complete the bouquet, while barrel aging brings subtle toasted and spicy nuances.

Palate

The attack is delicate and velvety, with silky, perfectly integrated tannins. The mid-palate unfolds a fine concentration of red and black fruits, backed by persistent minerality and tertiary notes of coffee, chocolate, and toasted dried fruits. Bright acidity brings freshness and balance to the whole. The finish, remarkably long and elegant, reveals hints of menthol, herbs, and leather, extending the tasting experience with refinement.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Spanish red wine pairs ideally with quality red meats such as beef or lamb, as well as game dishes. It also matches perfectly with Iberian cured meats, aged hard cheeses, and mushroom- or truffle-based dishes in sauce.

Serving and Cellaring

The Reserva Especial 2019 can be enjoyed now after brief aeration, but it will gain in complexity with a few additional years in the cellar. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C.

A Reserva Especial from Ribera del Duero Combining Power and Mineral Elegance

The Estate

Hacienda Monasterio was founded in 1990 by Danish oenologist Peter Sisseck in the Ribera del Duero region of Castile-León. Located between the villages of Pesquera and Valbuena de Duero, in the “milla de oro” of the appellation, the estate spans around 160 hectares, including 78 to 108 hectares of vineyards. Joined in 1992 by Carlos de la Fuente as winemaker, Peter Sisseck transformed this historic estate into a benchmark for quality. The vineyard has been certified organic since 2015, reflecting a deep commitment to environmentally respectful viticultural practices. Today, Hacienda Monasterio remains under the direction of Peter Sisseck.

The Vineyard

The vines for the Reserva Especial are planted on the hillsides of the Duero Valley, within the Ribera del Duero appellation, benefiting from optimal south and southwest exposure. The soils have a high concentration of limestone and chalk, giving the wine its distinctive minerality. The region’s continental climate, with significant day-to-night temperature swings and 2,400 hours of sunshine per year, promotes ideal grape ripening. The vines are planted at twice the regional average density, favoring quality over quantity. Vineyard management follows organic farming principles, excluding any use of synthetic pesticides or herbicides.

The Vintage

The 2019 vintage was marked by particularly favorable conditions in Ribera del Duero. The year saw pronounced heat and exceptional sunshine, allowing the grapes to reach optimal ripeness and remarkable concentration.

Winemaking and Aging

The Reserva Especial 2019 harvest was carried out by hand, with rigorous selection of the finest bunches transported in small crates. After destemming, fermentation took place at a controlled temperature between 28 and 32°C with native yeasts, followed by extended maceration lasting two to three weeks. Malolactic fermentation was completed in barrels. Aging then continued for 27 months in French oak barrels from the Allier forests, with 30 to 60% new barrels depending on the sources. After aging, the wine rested for a minimum of 12 months in bottle before release.

Grape Varieties

Tinto fino and cabernet sauvignon.