At a glance

Producer

Dominio de Atauta

Region

Ribera del Duero, Spain

Grape variety

Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$95-$140 (USD, auction and retail markets)

Tasting profile

Rich, layered dark fruit (blackberry, black cherry), graphite, violets, subtle smoky oak, complex savory undertones, evolved tertiary notes (leather, truffle).

Evolution: Primary fruit has softened, showing greater earthy and balsamic depth. Tannins now silky, oak well-integrated.

At peak: Maximum harmony of fruit, minerality, and savory maturity expected through 2022, increasingly tertiary after 2024.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-plus, supporting further maturation

Tannins

Firm initially, now mostly integrated and rounded

Alcohol

High (usually 14-15%)

Aging potential

15-18 years under ideal conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2017 to 2022

Optimal window

2014 to 2024

Current status

Approaching end of peak maturity

Current condition

Should be in excellent mature condition; some risk of fade after 2024

Dominio de Atauta's flagship comes from pre-phylloxera bush vines (avg. 100+ years) on high-altitude limestone soils, built for aging but from a forward vintage. 2009's warm but balanced profile made wines that matured earlier than colder years but have held structure, with peak evolution between 2017-2022 and quality extended if well-cellared.

Food pairing

Braised lamb shank, roasted suckling pig, aged manchego, wild mushroom risotto, grilled beef with rosemary.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has firm tannins that are now mostly integrated, indicating it has matured well. Decanting will help to further enhance its aromas and flavors, allowing it to open up and express its complexity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Dry-farming, hand-harvest, minimal chemical inputs, focus on indigenous yeasts. Low vineyard intervention, preservation of old vines. Energy use moderate; local glass; no specific packaging reduction initiatives documented for 2009.

Dominio de Atauta is committed to preserving a rare landscape of extremely old, ungrafted vines, employing dry farming and minimal sprays, thus supporting biodiversity and terroir health. While not certified in 2009, estate viticulture is rooted in sustainable principles. Packaging and energy usage not unusually progressive, and international shipping adds to carbon footprint. Overall, a responsible producer with regionally typical but not pioneering sustainability standards for the period.