Protos – elegant and refined Ribera del Duero
Founded in 1927, Protos takes its name from the fact it was the first company to make wine in Ribera del Duero. And it chose the area’s most impressive landmark for its winery. Penafiel Castle dates back to the 15th century and its imposing facade conceals 2.5km of tunnels, which provide the perfect environment for row upon row of oak barrels for ageing. In glorious juxtaposition to this monument is their state-of-the-art winery, which sits in front of the castle. Designed by British Architect Sir Richard Rogers, it was shortlisted for RIBA’s ‘The Best Building in the World’ prize in 2009.
The bodegas’ 1,137 hectares of vineyards are spread out over the best locations in Ribera del Duero and Rueda. Planted mainly on south-facing hillsides for optimal ripening, over a third contain vines over 80 years old.
The vines are rigorously monitored throughout the year, with the location and characteristics of each vine carefully plotted on the estate’s database, enabling traceability from the vine to the finished wine bottle. Come harvest time, grapes are painstakingly selected based on their quality and ripeness, and then hand-picked using crates. At the winery, the grapes are sorted cluster by cluster, and then grape by grape to ensure the utmost quality goes into tank.
Despite this rigorous selection process and attention to detail, the wines themselves have an irresistible laid-back elegance showcasing a delicious fruit purity. Qualities that have earned them numerous awards including gold medals at both Mundus Vini and the Challenge International du Vin.
Verdejo 2015 – 10% off (from 1 July)
– Mundus Vini Gold Medal Winner
Sourced from Rueda, this Verdejo is harvested at night to ensure optimum freshness. Packed with beautiful aromatics and a crisp, lively finish this is one of our top tips for summer drinking. And with some of London’s finest food and drinks merchants listing it this summer, it looks set to be a picnic staple.
Tasting note: Beautifully aromatic on the nose, this powerful Verdejo bursts with green apple, citrus and tropical fruits. Three months’ lees ageing add texture and balance, while the complex finish just keeps going on and on. A versatile wine that is perfect for al fresco dining.
Crianza 2012 – 10% off (from 1 July)
– Mundus Vini Gold Medal Winner
– Challenge International du Vin Gold Medal Winner
Rigorous sorting at harvest time ensures only the best fruit is selected for this Crianza, made by head winemaker Carlos Guzman. Aged for 14 months in French and American oak, followed by 12 months in bottle, this powerful yet elegant wine is full of ripe fruit flavours balanced by a refreshing acidity. The long, toasty finish gives it a slightly smoky aftertaste, which makes it perfect for summer barbeques.