It might be said that 2013 marked the return to normality of the climate of Ribera del Duero in the Burgos region – at least around the Esgueva, which is where this wine is from.

A continental year with very intense seasons, good spring rainfalls, filling the soil with water reserves and an absence of the feared spring frosts, so characteristic of the area. Temperatures oscillated between 8º below zero in winter and 38º in summer. Day-night temperature variations were very good during summer.

By and large the harvest was clean and healthy, without any trace of diseases. Starting on 8 October, picking was manual and the grapes were packed into 15 kg crates with an average yield of 3,200 kg/ha.

Once harvested, the grapes were refrigerated until vinification time. The alcoholic and malolactic fermentation followed in tanks at a controlled temperature. After the malolactic process had been concluded, the wine was kept in American and French oak until bottling.

A wine with a medium-high robe and a lively, brilliant appearance. It is expressive in the nose, with ripe red fruits predominating over a spicy backdrop with gentle balsamic hints. It is a generous, enveloping wine on the palate, leaving a very fresh, pleasant tannin sensation.

Following the winter of 2011, with a good growth period of the canopies, along with very low temperatures, typical of the time of the year and the location, the good rainfalls over those three months were an outstanding feature. Spring brought intense rainfalls and by May, daytime temperatures were unusually high and night temperatures quite low, without raising concern.

The summer months turned out to be particularly dry, with good variation between day and night temperatures, resulting in greater quality. Some heavy storms occurred in July, binging along the odd hail cloud, which affected some areas in Ribera del Duero, but not our vines.

In general, the harvest stood out for its high quality, good health and purity, free of all incidents related to diseases. Harvesting started on 1 October, picking was manual and the grapes were packed into 15 kg crates, with an average yield of 3,200 kg/ha.

After harvesting, the grapes went into cold storage until vinification time. Then came the alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in tanks at controlled temperatures. After the malolactic process had been concluded, the wine was kept in American and French oak until bottling.

A wine with a medium-high robe and a lively, brilliant appearance. It is elegant in the nose, with ripe red and black fruits predominating over a backdrop of liquorice and spices. This wine is very balanced and silky on the palate with a fine, lingering aftertaste.

The making of a great wine in an area as complex and rugged as Ribera del Duero, is always preceded by both natural - therefore absolutely unpredictable - and human factors that, in unison, will allow us to enjoy a truly exciting product when the time comes. The 2012 vintage was one of those occasions on which Nature and Man managed to coexist and give the best of themselves, resulting in fine quality wines.

The winter of 2011 was representative of the kind of continental winter experienced in this area – a very cold, dry time of the year. In January and February temperatures dropped below zero almost every day, reaching -10ºC several times. Spring 2012 brought abundant rainfall in the form of showers and even the odd hailstorm. As far as temperatures go, the total absence of springtime frost, the biggest climatic threat at this time of the year, was noteworthy. The vine went into summer in good health and growing sturdily. Day-night temperature variations were significant.

Picking was manual and the grapes were packed into 15 kg crates, starting on 1 October and going through till the 9th. The average yield of the Cuesta Roa estate was 2,600 kg/ha.

The alcoholic and malolactic fermentation of "Cuesta Roa 940" occurred in stainless steel tanks. The fermentation processes were followed by oxidized ageing for twelve months in American and French oak. It continued ageing in the bottle until its release onto the market in 2015.

A wine with a lively, brilliant appearance and a good medium-high robe. It is very refined and expressive in the nose, evocative of red fruits against a backdrop of cedar and balsamic liquorice nuances. Initially it is smooth on the tongue, becoming extraordinarily round on the palate. It is an exceptionally pleasant, persistent wine with a good capacity for ageing.

The making of a great wine in an area as complex and rugged as Ribera del Duero, is always preceded by both natural - therefore absolutely unpredictable - and human factors that, in unison, will allow us to enjoy a truly exciting product when the time comes. The 2012 vintage was one of those occasions on which Nature and Man managed to coexist and give the best of themselves, resulting in fine quality wines.

The winter of 2011 was representative of the kind of continental winter experienced in this area – a very cold, dry time of the year. In January and February temperatures dropped below zero almost every day, several times reaching -10ºC. Spring 2012 brought abundant rainfall in the form of showers and even the odd hailstorm. As far as temperatures go, the total absence of springtime frost, the biggest climatic threat at this time of the year, was noteworthy. The vine went into summer in good health and growing sturdily. Day-night temperature variations were significant.

Harvesting was manual and the grapes were packed into 15 kg crates, starting on 1 October and going through till the 9th. The average yield of the Cuesta Roa estate was 2,600 kg/ha. Batches with the longest potential shelf life were selected for the making of "Etiqueta Negra".

The alcoholic and malolactic fermentation of "Cuesta Roa 940 Etiqueta Negra" occurred in stainless steel tanks. The fermentation processes were followed by oxidized ageing for twelve months in American and French oak. It continued ageing in the bottle until its release onto the market in 2015.

A wine with a lively, brilliant appearance and a good medium-high robe. It is very refined and expressive in the nose, evocative of red fruits against a backdrop of cedar and balsamic liquorice nuances. Initially it is smooth on the tongue, becoming extraordinarily round on the palate. It is an exceptionally pleasant, persistent wine with a good capacity for ageing.