At a glance

Producer

Isaac Fernandez Selección

Region

Ribera del Duero, Spain

Grape variety

Tempranillo (Tinto Fino)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$30-40 USD

Tasting profile

Dense black cherry, plum, violet, subtle oak spice, and savory earth. Youthful and taut.

Evolution: Will develop notes of tobacco, cedar, leather, and dried herbs with age.

At peak: Rich, complex palate with softened tannins and integrated oak, tertiary nuance enhances fruit and minerality.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, contributing to balance and aging potential.

Tannins

Firm, moderately high with fine grain typical of Ribera del Duero Tempranillo.

Alcohol

Around 14-14.5% ABV (typical for the region/vintage).

Aging potential

8-10 years under ideal cellaring; will gain complexity through 2027-2029.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2026 to 2030

Optimal window

2025 to 2032

Current status

Youthful, primary flavors present; suitable for current drinking with potential for improvement.

Current condition

Vibrant fruit, pronounced tannins and freshness; early cellar phase.

The structure of Ribera del Duero wines from respected single vineyards like Finca La Mata offers several years of rewarding development, peaking as tannins integrate and secondary/tertiary flavors emerge without losing freshness.

Food pairing

Works with grilled lamb, roasted pork, tapas with chorizo, aged Manchego and lightly spiced Spanish dishes.

Serving

Decant

Yes (30 minutes) — The wine has firm, moderately high tannins which can benefit from aeration to soften and enhance its flavors.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Isaac Fernandez Selección employs many sustainable practices typical in Ribera del Duero (hand harvesting, integrated pest management, minimal irrigation), but does not advertise low carbon packaging or comprehensive energy/water use transparency.

While the estate is known for conscientious vineyard management and selective, low-intervention winemaking—benefiting soil and local biodiversity—there is no third-party certification or full transparency about broader sustainability programs. Glass bottle, cork closures, and traditional shipping add to carbon footprint. The score reflects responsible but conventional practices, with room for further improvement through certification, renewable energy use, and innovative packaging.