Region: Ribera del Duero, Spain

Vintage: 2021

Composition: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

History: The first written proof of the existence of this Duero farm refers to its founder, the Franciscan monk Pedro de Villacreces, who established a monastery in this wonderful place as a place to pray and grow food. For several centuries Villacreces was a place of retreat for Franciscan monks to meditate, repent, work the land and contemplate nature. After the Mendizábal Confiscations in 1836, the land passed into private hands; those of the Marquis Teodosio Alonso-Pesquera, royal senator of Alfonso XIII. Soon after, the king granted the Marquis water rights to the Duero River. The second Marquis sold the estate to the Cuadrado de Valladolid family at the beginning of the 20th century. They used the estate as a vacation home, where they entertained many famous guests, including Peter Sisseck. He used the winery and part of the vineyard to make his Flor de Pingus. In 2004 Gonzalo and Lalo Antón met the Cuadrado family. The Antón family already ran a winery in Rioja (Izadi) and in Toro (Vetus), and had been studying the Ribera de Duero for some time. Pedro Cuadrado hinted at his interest in leaving his wine business and farm in good hands. The Antóns responded and soon became the owners of one of the most spectacular vineyards in the Ribera del Duero. After rebuilding the winery and restoring the vineyard, Villacreces was relaunched in 2007.

Tasting Notes:

Intense ruby red in color with violet reflections. The nose is powerful and expressive, offering complex, concentrated aromas of toasted cacao and coffee caramel, alongside notes of blueberry and cherries. A subtle mineral hint adds depth. On the palate, it is bold, fleshy, and well-structured, with generous volume and a well-integrated profile of ripe tannins. Flavors of dark chocolate and balsamic touches of black licorice linger on the finish.