Alejandro Fernandez Pesquera Reserva Especial 2003, 150cl - Magnum bottling from a Ribera Icon

Tinto Pesquera is a pioneer in Tempranillo winemaking methods. The wine was given this name in honour of Pesquera de Duero, the town where the winery is located and where Alejandro and Esperanza were born. Tinto Pesquera is the gold standard for wines from this region.

Although at the beginning things were not easy, in the 1970s time finally proved the committed and determined young Alejandro Fernández right. After 10 years of hard work, the modest 16th century stone-built bodega planted the seed for what was to become one of the most prestigious bodegas in Spain. Nowadays, the result of such an extraordinary endeavour is appreciated worldwide.

Pesquera wines are always made from the whole fruit, after destemming. Temperature controlled fermentation lasts two to three weeks. Afterwards, and without clarifying, the grape pulp is directly transferred to an astute and subtle combination of French and American oak barrels that have been subject to various degrees of toasting. Where, in between frequent pump-overs, the wines are left to stand.

Alejandro Fernández presents Pesquera Reserva Especial, a limited edition made of high-quality grapes from the 2003 vintage. Matured for no less than 30 months in oak barrels and 48 months in bottle. The wine was released after the Gran Reserva and the production was tiny. It is a red that comes to market ready to be drunk, but that must still evolve for many years. A real unicorn wine!

This wine is full-bodied, concentrated, intense, perfectly mature and lush to the mouth. It has an excellent tannin structure and yet remains smooth with time. It reveals itself to be very balanced and has a long-lasting finish. It has a refined and complex bouquet. Aromas of well seasoned fruit, spicy wood, toasted whiffs, hints of mineral and a slightly meaty background all feature.

It is recommended decanting this wine one hour before serving or drinking it in order to enjoy its great aromatic complexity and its notable weight in the mouth.