{"title":"Protos","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"protos-tinto-fino-750ml","title":"Protos Tinto Fino","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtos Tinto Fino\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 100% Tempranillo red wine from Ribera del Duero, Spain, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 91 points by James Suckling and 90 points by Wine Enthusiast, this expression from one of the region's founding bodegas layers concentrated dark fruit with vanilla and spice drawn from 12 months in French and American oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Ribera del Duero, Spain  |  12 Months Oak-Aged  |  Bodegas Protos\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBodegas Protos was founded in 1927 by a collective of local winegrowers in Peñafiel, Valladolid, making it one of the original producers in what would become the Ribera del Duero Denominación de Origen. Grapes for the Tinto Fino are harvested entirely by hand and collected in small 20-kilogram boxes to ensure only healthy, intact fruit reaches the fermentation tanks. After fermentation, the wine matures for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, building structured tannins alongside sweet spice and toasty depth that complement the region's characteristically concentrated Tempranillo fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ruby-purple in the glass, the nose opens with ripe blackberry and plum before giving way to violets and red cherry. Secondary notes of vanilla, leather, and toasted oak develop with time and air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is juicy and fruit-driven, with dark berries and plum anchoring the mid-palate. French oak contributes fine-grained tannins and a coffee-like depth, while American oak adds sweet baking spice. The body is medium-to-full with balanced acidity that keeps the fruit lifted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderately long, with lingering blackberry, warm spice, and a gentle toasty quality. Tannins remain present but polished, closing clean and dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Protos Tinto Fino\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe at 16–18°C (61–64°F) in a large-bowled glass; younger vintages benefit from 20 to 30 minutes of decanting to soften tannins and open the aromatic layers. This is a food-friendly Tempranillo that rewards pairing with grilled lamb chops, where the char mirrors the wine's toasty oak; slow-braised short ribs, whose richness is cut by the wine's acidity; and roasted vegetable dishes featuring eggplant or red pepper, which echo its dark fruit and smoky undertones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeknight dinners with grilled or braised red meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing someone to Ribera del Duero Tempranillo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a Spanish wine collection at the mid-range tier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing alongside a tapas spread of cured meats and aged cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Protos Tinto Fino taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers concentrated blackberry and plum fruit with vanilla, baking spice, and a hint of coffee from 12 months in French and American oak. The body is medium-to-full with polished tannins and a moderately long, clean finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Protos Tinto Fino compare to a Rioja Crianza?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are Tempranillo-based, oak-aged Spanish reds, but Ribera del Duero's higher altitude and continental climate produce darker, more concentrated fruit in the Protos. Rioja Crianza tends toward softer red fruit with dried dill and coconut accents from heavier American oak use, while Protos Tinto Fino leans into black fruit, leather, and balanced spice from its French and American oak blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Protos Tinto Fino good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its fruit concentration, balanced acidity, and integrated oak make it enjoyable on its own, especially after a brief decant to let the aromas fully develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Protos Tinto Fino made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Bodegas Protos in Peñafiel, a town in the Valladolid province within Spain's Ribera del Duero Denominación de Origen. The bodega was founded in 1927 and is one of the region's oldest producers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Protos Tinto Fino?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled lamb benefits from the wine's smoky oak and dark fruit. Aged Manchego cheese matches its tannic structure. Braised short ribs find balance with its acidity. Chorizo and cured Ibérico ham complement the spice notes. Roasted eggplant and red pepper echo the wine's earthy, fruity depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Protos Tinto Fino come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Protos Tinto Fino worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e It positions as a mid-range Ribera del Duero red — above simple joven bottlings but below the bodega's own Reserva and Gran Reserva tiers. With 12 months of oak aging, hand-harvested fruit, and scores of 91 points from James Suckling and 90 from Wine Enthusiast, it delivers notable complexity for its price tier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Protos Tinto Fino?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBodegas Protos has nearly a century of history in Ribera del Duero, and the Tinto Fino bottling distills the bodega's core identity: hand-harvested Tempranillo from high-altitude vineyards, carefully aged in a mix of French and American oak. The dual-oak program gives this wine a layered profile that many single-oak competitors in the same price range lack. Critical recognition — 91 points from James Suckling and 90 from Wine Enthusiast — confirms that the quality is consistent across vintages. For drinkers exploring Ribera del Duero beyond the most familiar names, this is a reliable benchmark of the region's dark-fruited, structured style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Protos","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44836806033577,"sku":"21720","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/protos_tinto_fino__86478.jpg?v=1730470965"},{"product_id":"protos-crianza","title":"Protos Crianza","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtos Crianza\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 100% Tempranillo red wine from Ribera del Duero, Spain, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded Grand Gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (2019 vintage) and scoring 91 points from both James Suckling and Tim Atkin, this Crianza stands as one of the benchmark expressions of Ribera del Duero's signature grape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Ribera del Duero, Spain  |  Crianza Classification  |  Bodega: Bodegas Protos\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBodegas Protos was founded in 1927 in Peñafiel, Valladolid, making it one of the original bodegas of the Ribera del Duero denomination. The Crianza is made from 100% Tempranillo — known locally as Tinta del País — and undergoes a distinctive tri-part barrel aging regime: 33% in new French oak, 34% in one-year-old French and American oak, and 33% in two-year-old French and American oak barrels. This layered approach to oak maturation builds complexity while preserving the grape's intense dark-fruit character, distinguishing it from single-barrel aging programs common across the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with high aromatic intensity — ripe blackberry and plum give way to sweet spice, vanilla, and pleasant toasted notes contributed by the oak program. A subtle leathery undertone emerges as the wine breathes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e On the palate, dark berry fruit arrives rich and concentrated at entry, moving through a mid-palate of fine roasted spice and chocolate. Raspberry and blackberry intertwine with tar and black pepper at peak intensity, balanced by fresh acidity that keeps the wine lively and focused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is medium-long with lingering notes of sweet spice, dark fruit, and a trace of toasted oak. Tannins are firm yet polished, providing structure without excessive grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Protos Crianza\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe at 16–18°C (61–64°F); decanting for 30 minutes to an hour opens the aromatics considerably and softens the tannins. A Tempranillo Sangria benefits from the wine's dark fruit and spice backbone, holding its own against citrus and brandy. A Kalimotxo — the Basque cola-and-wine cocktail — pairs surprisingly well with the Crianza's robust body and peppery edge. For a lighter warm-weather serve, a Tinto de Verano with lemon soda lets the fresh berry character shine through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a weekend grilled lamb or charcoal-seared steak dinner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing someone to serious Ribera del Duero Tempranillo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Spanish wine enthusiast exploring beyond Rioja\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a cellar collection of oak-aged Spanish reds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Protos Crianza taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Protos Crianza delivers concentrated blackberry and plum fruit layered with vanilla, roasted spice, chocolate, and a touch of black pepper. Fresh acidity balances the rich fruit and firm, polished tannins throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Protos Crianza compare to Rioja Crianza?\u003c\/strong\u003e While both are built on Tempranillo, Protos Crianza from Ribera del Duero is typically darker and more intense, with bolder fruit concentration and firmer tannins than most Rioja Crianza bottlings, which tend toward a lighter, more red-fruited and earthy style. Rioja Crianza also often includes blending grapes such as Garnacha and Graciano, whereas Protos is 100% Tempranillo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Protos Crianza good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e The balanced structure of dark fruit, oak spice, and fresh acidity makes it an excellent standalone pour, especially after 30 minutes of decanting to let the aromatics fully develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Protos Crianza made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Protos Crianza is produced by Bodegas Protos, located in Peñafiel, Valladolid, in the heart of Spain's Ribera del Duero Denominación de Origen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Protos Crianza?\u003c\/strong\u003e Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's dark fruit and spice; aged Manchego cheese echoes its toasty oak notes; slow-roasted pork shoulder matches the concentrated body; chorizo and cured Ibérico ham mirror the peppery finish; and roasted root vegetables provide an earthy contrast to the ripe berry fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Protos Crianza come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Protos Crianza is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Protos Crianza worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Protos Crianza positions as a mid-range Ribera del Duero red, and with 91-point scores from James Suckling and Tim Atkin plus international gold medals, it consistently delivers quality that outperforms its price tier within the category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Protos Crianza?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tri-part barrel aging system — splitting maturation across new, one-year-old, and two-year-old French and American oak — is a deliberate production choice that few Crianza-level wines employ, and it shows in the layered complexity of each vintage. Bodegas Protos, founded in 1927, is one of the founding estates of Ribera del Duero, lending genuine historical credibility to every bottle. With Grand Gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and consistent 90+ scores from Robert Parker, James Suckling, and Tim Atkin, the wine carries international recognition that backs up its regional pedigree. For drinkers seeking a darker, more structured alternative to Rioja Crianza, Protos remains one of the most reliable benchmarks in the appellation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Protos","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837781962921,"sku":"30070","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Protos-Crianza__87854.jpg?v=1730494129"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/protos.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}