The 2018 Protos 5º Año Reserva is a 100% Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, aged 18 months in oak barrels—80% French and 20% American. Garnet-red with a subtle bluish sheen. The nose offers plum, spice, bay leaf, mint and licorice aromas, all layered over an oaky base. The palate is dry and plush with a slightly chalky texture and well-balanced acidity that lead to an enjoyable, complex and lingering finish. Given time to breathe, it grows more profound and nuanced.
93 points, Joaquín Hidalgo, Vinous (Nov 2023)
Fine oak spices with a hint of cocoa beans, violets and some blackberries on the nose. Nice, firm tannins on the medium- to full-bodied palate followed by a long, tight finish. Drink from 2024.
92 points, Zekun Shuai, James Suckling (Dec 2023)