TINTO PESQUERA Gran Reserva 'Janus' - Ribera del Duero 2018 Bottle

Description

Tinto Pesquera Gran Reserva Janus is an exceptional wine produced only in outstanding vintages, with the last release being in 2003. This prestigious wine reflects the ancient and modern winemaking techniques pioneered by Alejandro Fernández since 1982, when he first created this unique blend. Scoring 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, Janus offers a violet-tinged nose with BBQ-driven aromas that lead to a succulent yet finely chiseled palate. The wine boasts savory aromatics alongside a velvety texture, with forward fruit layered with remarkable depth. Rich flavors of dark fruits and spices are beautifully complemented by well-integrated oak, demonstrating the winery's dedication to quality. This complex and balanced wine is an exquisite representation of Ribera del Duero, ready to enjoy now or age gracefully.

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Tinto Pesquera is a prestigious winery located in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain, specifically in the province of Burgos. Established in 1971 by Alejandro Fernández, the winery has gained recognition for producing high-quality wines primarily from the Tempranillo grape, known locally as Tinta del País. Tinto Pesquera is celebrated for its rich and robust red wines, characterized by deep flavors of dark fruits, spices, and well-integrated oak. The winery employs a blend of traditional and modern winemaking techniques, including aging in a mix of French and American oak barrels to enhance complexity. With numerous accolades and high ratings from critics, Tinto Pesquera remains a sought-after choice for enthusiasts and collectors seeking exceptional expressions of Ribera del Duero.

Intriguingly named after the gatekeeper Roman god, Janus, with his two heads giving him the ability to observe all comings and goings, this singular wine also looks to the past and future, as ancient and modern wine-making processes have been combined in its production.
It started after an experiment in 1982, a year with a particularly good harvest, when Alejandro Fernández decided to make two distinct wines from the same grapes. In the old traditional way, half the clusters went into his old wine press whole, and the other half were de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The first wine was released for the home market, but the second wine was his first attempt at exporting. An equal amount of the remains of each wine was allowed to age for three years in old American oak barrels and in 1986 Janus appeared - a remarkably complex, balanced wine, with velvety-rich roundness and highly nuanced. It is only produced when the harvest culminates in some exceptional grapes, and it proves distinctly different within the range.

Tinto Pesquera Gran Réserva Janus is a great wine which is only made when the vintage is considered exceptional. Last vintage was 2003!

WINE ENTHUSIAST 94 points
A violet-tinged and BBQ-driven nose opens into a succulent yet finely chiseled palate. There's plenty to admire here–from the savory aromatics to the velvety texture–while the fruit is forward yet layered with depth. Surely this will continue to drink well, but it's already delicious today. — Brandon Borcoman