Balbas Winery was founded in 1777, the year that work started on the first underground wine cellar marking over 200 years of tradition and four generations dedicated to the noble art of winemaking in the Ribera del Duero. We have tried and managed to achieve a blend of 200 years of tradition with modern and advanced technology in our winemaking, illustrating the powerful, elegant characteristics of our terroir and showcasing the skills of the great wineries of the region. We use new modern stainless steel tanks and the latest technology in monitoring and quality control. Be it through stabilizing the wine in the cold or strictly controlling the temperature during fermentation we guarantee that our wines are amongst the highest rated both nationally and internationally, as evidenced by the many prizes we have received. The secret to our success is in the way we tend our 222 acres of winery-owned vineyards. Tempranillo (or Tinta del Pais) is widely planted throughout the area and is justifiably famous in the region. We also give our wines a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Our entire crop is picked by hand and harvest usually begins in the first week of October (subject to vintage variation). We keep our yields low with some plots producing only 1,000 kilos per hectare with a maximum of 5,000 kilos per hectare. Together with green pruning and other proven methods that respect the environment, our wines reveal a personal touch defined by intensity and elegance. We aim to make wines that stand apart, while remaining loyal to the traditions of local winemaking, and consistently improving our structure and balance. We avoid excessively long periods in the barrel with importance being paid to the final product in the bottle. The delicate process of aging in barrel is expertly controlled with French and American Oak barrels whose porosity and toast are specially selected before their production. These barrels enable our wines to rest and develop slowly in a tranquil atmosphere allowing them to age and evolve elegantly.
Balbas
Wine Specifications
2004
Reserva
Red
90% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
24 months
50% French Oak 50% American Oak
93 Wine Spectator
92 Guía Campsa 2008, Bronze in Guía de Oro de los Vinos de España 2008
$40 USD
Tasting Notes
Powerful aromas of black pepper, vanilla, toasty and dark-roasted notes, and chocolate. A very complex wine on the nose and very rich in aromas.
A rounded wine with a very long finish.
Clean and bright, showing its age by means of a delicate brick-red hue.Great aromatic complexity.
On the palate a velvety smoothness envelops first impressions. The acidity and tannins are perfectly integrated. Good lingering finish.
Ardal
Wine Specifications
2004
Reserva
Red
80% Tempranillo, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
24 months
50% French Oak 50% American Oak
90 Wine Spectator
$40 USD
Tasting Notes
Intensely ruby-red glints. Pronounced, dense tears.
A clean, clear aroma of strawberries and raspberries, notes of toast, dark-roast and caramel. A good length, with fine touches of ageing, toasty and spicy notes, thus providing a very persistent finish
