Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Proelio – Tempranillo Crianza 2015
DOCa Rioja – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
Made from Tempranillo and aged 12 months in barrel, Crianza wines are typically crafted for early enjoyment rather than long aging. Yet this 2015 surprises with its grace and staying power, showing how well Rioja structure and fruit can carry even at this stage.

Aromas & Flavors:
Red cherry, stewed plum, and dried strawberry notes mingle with soft cedar, leather, and a faint touch of vanilla. Secondary notes of earth and warm spice reveal the benefits of bottle age.

Mouthfeel:
Light to medium-bodied, rounded and smooth. The tannins have mellowed beautifully, leaving a silky texture and a warm, gentle finish.

Food Pairings:
A natural partner for tapas, roasted chicken, grilled lamb chops, or Manchego cheese.

Verdict:
Unexpectedly affable and delicious for its age. Proof that even a Crianza, when well-made, can exceed expectations and bring pleasure a decade later. Cheers!

Did You Know?
In Rioja, the classification terms Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva don’t only refer to aging potential, but to minimum legal barrel and bottle aging before release. Crianzas usually age 1 year in barrel + 1 in bottle, making them approachable young. But in great vintages or from careful producers, Crianzas can surprise with longevity well beyond expectations.
— 9 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Still fresh. Sometimes, crianzas do age! — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Nose has oxidized honey, green herbs, hazelnut, apricot, faint-light petrol, eucalyptus, gardenia blossom, all powerful, concentrating and invigorating.

Palate has honey tea with oak sawdust, cedar plank, beautiful saline minerality, candlewax, great acidity bite that comes in late, such extravagance.

We've been enjoying these Heredia crianzas for many years, but they do need time to settle in and we're still drinking these too young, but damn they are guilty pleasures. We really fell in love with the Blanc many years ago, drinking young then patiently waiting several years, wow what an evolution!

Decanted 2+hrs, drink now or enjoy over the next 3-5 years without concern.

$22, yes I know that reads like a crazy price, because it is, only patience is required! — 7 years ago

Ivonne Nill

8.9

One of my favority Ribera del Duero Crianzas, this is a fabulous effort for 2013, showing freshness, powdery tannins, dark berries, leather, earth and oak spice. The 14.5%ABV is well integrated, there is enough substance for medium term ageing. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

What does Peter Sisseck make when he's not making $1000 bottles of Pingus? This wine. Extraordinarily complex and continuously evolving. Plum and blueberry compote, olive tapenade, stewed tomato, cocoa powder, campfire smoke, anise, and soy sauce with secondary damp earth, crushed flower petal, and cedar. The acid/tannin/sweetness balance elevates this well above its fellow Ribera del Duero Crianzas. — 9 years ago

Bryan A

9.2

All day all day — 11 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

#garnacha #cariñena — 3 years ago

Natalya L

9.3

Schneider’s find — 5 years ago

with Elan

Martinez

9.0

Hacienda Solano’s entry-level wine, Selección is mostly Tempranillo with some 2% Albillo from selected plots in the small village of La Aguilera, all farmed organically. Fermented in stainless steel with some full clusters, the 2018 Selección was partially aged in 225 and 500-liter French oak barrels for 8 months, much less than most Crianzas in the area. Aromas of red fruit and some notes of pine needles and Mediterranean herbs (some menthol?). Powerful, very smooth, fine tannins. An outstanding village wine and one of the best values in Ribera del Duero — 6 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Nose has spicy cherry, tanned leather, juiced raspberry-blackberry, cigar box, cocoa nibs, exceptional.

Palate has blackberry reduction, ripe cherry mash, moist leather, cedar shavings, light mocha, nice acidity and dissipating tannins are gentle, long finish.

We've been enjoying these Heredia crianzas for many years, but they do need time to settle in and we're still drinking these too young, but damn they are guilty pleasures.

Decanted 2+hrs, drink now or enjoy over the next 4-6 years without concern.

$22, yes I know that reads like a crazy price, because it is, only patience is required! — 7 years ago

Tim Marino

8.9

Excellent. Have had other crianzas I was not thrilled with but this is delightful. Perfect body. Nice fruit. Light oak finish. We'll balanced. Stood up well to spicy BBQ ribs. — 9 years ago

Dimes

9.1

Good from Kyle — 10 years ago

Eric Gold

Wine Director Williamsburg Pottery Factory

9.0

Year after year this continues to be a benchmark for Rioja crianzas — 11 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.0

Can Rioja Crianzas do no wrong??!! Such a gift of rich, joyous, wood aged red fruits, from old school, at 15$. Balanced,but full on the palate. Crazy. — 4 years ago

Kurtis Epp

9.0

I really like this Rioja - smooth, well-balanced and beautiful fruit aroma. The oak is a little stronger than other more fruit-forward Crianzas, but good, nonetheless. — 5 years ago

Manuel O. Mendez

9.4

Have to admit I’m one of those who scrunches his nose at the mention of crianzas. Well, nose straighten out by this surprisingly mature 20 yr old (crianza??). Drinks more like a moderately bodied, high priced brunello—excellent! — 6 years ago

Gideon Lansbergen

9.6

Gedronken bij Erik Margit feb ‘19 — 7 years ago

Brittany Gray

8.9

Really yummy considering how cheap. Kinda dry. — 8 years ago

Karissa Lehman

9.0

One of my favorite crianzas, will definitely be buying again when I come across it next! — 9 years ago

Ligon Johnson

9.0

Dirty Dozen Winner — 10 years ago