Malabrigo 2019 is a flagship wine from Bodegas Cepa 21, the modern Ribera del Duero project founded by the Moro family, one of Spain’s most respected winemaking dynasties. Established by José Moro and his family, the winery combines contemporary precision with the traditional viticultural heritage of Ribera del Duero. The vineyards are located at high altitude across the Ribera del Duero appellation in northern Spain, where a continental climate with hot days and cool nights allows slow, balanced ripening. Malabrigo is sourced from carefully selected old-vine Tempranillo parcels planted on limestone, clay and sandy soils with excellent drainage, contributing concentration and freshness. The 2019 vintage in Ribera del Duero was warm and balanced, producing healthy grapes with excellent phenolic ripeness, structured tannins and notable aromatic intensity. Vineyard management follows sustainable principles with careful attention to soil health and low yields, though the estate is not formally certified organic or biodynamic. Malabrigo 2019 is made from 100% Tempranillo, known locally as Tinto Fino, sourced from low-yielding old vines. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with controlled temperatures to preserve fruit purity, followed by ageing for approximately 18 months in French oak barrels, integrating richness and structure while maintaining freshness. The wine is deeply concentrated yet polished, offering aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum and cassis layered with notes of dark chocolate, espresso, cedar, liquorice and sweet spice. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, with velvety tannins, balanced acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish characteristic of Ribera del Duero’s limestone soils. It pairs exceptionally well with roast lamb, grilled ribeye, Iberian pork and aged Manchego cheese. Drinking beautifully now with decanting, it also has the structure to age for 10–15 years. The 2019 vintage received strong critical acclaim, with scores in the mid-90s from leading Spanish wine critics, often praised for its “depth, precision and modern elegance within a powerful Ribera style.”
