Spain’s “Best buy of the last 10 years” according to R. Parker
Pruno 2022
Finca Villacreces is one of our lesser-known estates from Ribera del Duero. Yet we’ve been working with this estate for over 20 years.
Their entry-level wine “Pruno” receives high Parker scores year after year – quite remarkable for a wine priced at only €16.75!
A short selection of Robert Parker’s reviews:
2015: 90/100: As always represents a good value in Ribera del Duero.
2016: 91/100: Always a good value in Ribera and cropped from a fresher year, the 2016 Pruno has notes of licorice, dark berries and even some fresher red fruit. It has abundant, fine-grained tannins that require powerful food.
2018: 91+/100: The entry-level here is the 2018 Pruno, which follows the line of the 2016. It's mostly Tempranillo with 9% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented for three weeks and matured in French barrels for 11 months. It's clean and quite fruit-driven, approachable and juicy, with integrated oak. Very pleasant, with very good freshness.
2019: 92/100: The 2019 Pruno has some unusual aromas reminiscent of pine needles, balsamic and faintly herbal with moderate alcohol (they harvested early in this warm year) and with very good balance and harmony. The aromas and flavors are pure and defined, and it's tasty, easy to drink and has very fine tannins. Among the finest Pruno of recent times.
The 2022 vintage has just arrived!
The quality of Pruno is no coincidence: for years, the vineyards that now produce Pruno were used by Peter Sisseck for his Flor de Pingus.
What’s more, this Pruno 2022 has once again earned a very impressive score – especially in this price range:
92/100
As I've often heard and seen in this vintage, the result of the 2022 Pruno has been much better than expected after a torrid summer and an early harvest. The wine keeps its balance and poise, its fruit-driven personality and the approachability from previous years. It has contained ripeness, 14.05% alcohol, clean aromas and a juicy and velvety texture. Highly drinkable. It's a blend of 94% Tinto Fino, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot.
I was back at the estate last spring and once again impressed by how good everything was!
A true price-quality star!
