Ebano Crianza Ribera del Duero 2006

"Austerity is the key word here. This wine offers little more than its firm structure for now, holding its flavors at a distance. With enough time in the glass, earthy aromas begin to emerge, lending complexity to the notes of blackberries and strawberries, showing an unexpected side to this exceptional tempranillo."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (June 2012), 92 pts

Ebano Crianza Ribera del Duero 2006 is made from 100% Tempranillo. The grapes are hand harvested then selected in a sorting table
Aged 13 months in 100% French oak.
Total production: 2,000 cases.
Dark cherry red color, clean and bright. Rich ripe blackberry and blueberry fruit dominate the nose, nicely combined with a touch of the oak's elegant, toasty spice. Rich and fruity on the palate, tasty and hearty with a pleasantly fresh counterpoint that makes it well balanced and a pleasure to drink.

"Austerity is the key word here. This wine offers little more than its firm structure for now, holding its flavors at a distance. With enough time in the glass, earthy aromas begin to emerge, lending complexity to the notes of blackberries and strawberries, showing an unexpected side to this exceptional tempranillo."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (June 2012), 92 pts

"Aromas of beeswax candle, vanilla pod and chocolate strawberries with a supple dryish medium-full body and a long, tangy, and meaty nut, straw and herb bread accented finish. A delicious and structured Ribera that will work well with lamb"
GOLD MEDAL
- Beverage Testing Institute, 91 pts

"Vivid ruby. Complex, expressive aromas of cherry, bitter chocolate, Indian spices, mocha and sexy oak. Lively and penetrating, with very good clarity and verve to its bitter cherry and dark berry flavors. Finishes spicy and long, with firm, fine-grained tannins adding shape and grip. I suspect that this wine will age slowly, on its balance."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Sept/Oct 2011), 90 pts

 

The Ebano Estate
Over the past few years Adegas Valminor (D.O. Rías Baixas) has been putting together a D.O. Ribera del Duero, initiative which began with the acquisition of prime vineyards in the area around Quintana del Pidio and Gumiel del Mercado. After extensive work on the vineyards and the construction of the necessary facilities, the first Ebano (crianza 2001) was produced. In Spanish, the word ébano means ebony, the hard black wood used in making musical instruments such as clarinets. The name evokes the deep dark color of the wine.

The Ebano Vineyards
The holdings amount to a total of 43 hectares (106 acres), separated in 7 different parcels. The vines are 100% Tempranillo. The older plantings (23 years) are pruned in the traditional goblet or head-trained fashion. Later plantings are trained on wires and are some 15 years old. The soils in the area are generally a mix of sand/gravel and clay/limestone.