Dominio del Águila Peñas Aladas Gran Reserva 2018 is an extraordinary single-vineyard Ribera del Duero wine produced in extremely limited quantities from some of the estate's oldest vines. Aged for 53 months in French oak barrels, this Gran Reserva combines remarkable concentration with exceptional finesse, revealing captivating aromas of black fruits, dried violets, liquorice, wet chalk, nutmeg, pecan, and delicate floral notes. Full-bodied yet beautifully poised, it offers silky tannins, vibrant acidity, pronounced mineral character, and a long, savoury finish with a distinctive saline edge. Crafted for long-term cellaring, this iconic Spanish wine has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for decades, making it a prized choice for collectors and an exceptional companion to roast lamb, game, premium beef, and aged cheeses.

The Wine Advocate | RP 99
Published: Jun 13, 2024
Drink: 2024-2048

They didn't produce the 2017 vintage of the single-vineyard wine from some of their oldest vines, so after the 2016 they jumped to the 2018 Peñas Aladas Gran Reserva. It has a very intense nose of licorice, flowers (decayed violets), wet chalk, spices (nutmeg), some nuts (pecan) and a volatile twist with great freshness. It matured in French oak barrels for 53 months. It has a fine thread, a chalky and dry feeling, fine tannins and a dry and very tasty finish that's almost salty. It has all the components and the balance with them to develop nicely in bottle. It should age effortlessly for 30 years. It's very impressive, but it doesn't reach the elegance of the 2016. 1,729 bottles and 42 magnums produced. It was bottled in March 2023.

Dominio del Águila now produces some 90,000 bottles since they are not selling grapes anymore. 2023 was very dry, then there was frost, and the crop was small; but it rained in September and the temperatures went down, so the year was saved because they harvested early. He compared it to 2014, maybe 2009.

In 2022, they had to rush the harvest, because it rained during the harvest. It had been very warm and dry, with a torrid summer. The result is better than expected.

2021 was a classical Ribera vintage: a cold winter with snow, rain and a bit of frost and a warm but moderate summer. They waited. It's a powerful and concentrated year with balance. He compared it with 2015, 2011 and 2006. The good stuff is very good.

Jorge Monzón considers 2020 to be an almost prefect vintage—cool and fresh, reminiscent of the great 2016.

2019 was warm and dry, healthy, excellent for white.

2018 was cool and pretty.