Malleolus de Sanchomartín 2021 – Spain’s Tempranillo on a Power Trip

Tasting Notes — real talk

Color: Deep, inky cherry-red with purple edges — the kind of color that demands your attention before you even swirl. 
Nose: Blackberries and plums stacked high, with dark fruit vibes riding on a wave of violet florals, balsamic herbs, and a faint whisper of leather and cocoa from the oak. 
Palate: Bold, structured black-fruit core — plum, blackberry jam — married with spice, cedar, and a subtle touch of licorice and earthy minerality. Plush tannins but with finesse; not brute force, but powerful in a “don’t mess with me” kind of way. 
Finish: Long, lingering, with that Spanish־vineyard gravitas — dark fruit fades into spice and a soft echo of oak, leaving your palate humming. 

Meet the Winemaker (aka Family, Soil & Absolute Grit)

This is not some assembly-line Bordeaux knock-off — this is Bodegas Emilio Moro, a tight-knit, four-generation-strong family outfit in the heart of Spain’s legendary Ribera del Duero. Their vineyards cling to limestone-rich soils, high altitude and harsh sun, forcing vines to fight — and only the strongest, most expressive grapes survive. Malleolus de Sanchomartín is their love letter to old vines, pure Tempranillo, and uncompromising regional identity. 

Wine Specs

• Varietal: 100% Tempranillo (Tinto Fino) 

• Vintage: 2021 

• Region: Ribera del Duero – Pesquera de Duero, Spain (Pago de Sanchomartín) 

• Aging: 18–22 months in new French oak barrels (single-vineyard barrel-aged) 

• ABV: 15.0% 

• Bottle Size: 750 ml

• Serving Temp: 15–17 °C (60–63 °F) for maximum swagger. 

Critic Reviews — When the Nerds Agree You’re Sexy

• Awaiting consolidated top-tier review for 2021. This vintage appears on official producer notes but lacks a widely published score (no verified 2021 rating from Parker, Wine Spectator, etc.).

• Legacy of past vintages of this cuvée: critics have lauded its finesse, concentration, and ageworthiness — but for 2021 we ride on provenance and promise.

Food Pairings — What You Should Be Drinking This With

• Charred T-bone steak or ribeye — heavy meat loves heavy wine.

• Oven-roasted game (venison, wild boar) — let those tannins and spice strut.

• Aged Manchego or Iberian cheese — salt + fat + structure = perfection.

• Rich mushrooms with garlic & thyme — earthy match for earthy notes.

Why You Need This Bottle

Because this isn’t shy Bordeaux knock-off shit — this is Spain in a bottle, with backbone, balls, and character.
Because when you want a wine that announces “I have taste — and I take it seriously,” this is the drop.
Because your cellar deserves gravity, not fluff.
Because for a Spanish Tempranillo with attitude and elegance? This is the one.

Snag the Malleolus de Sanchomartín 2021 before it’s gone. Life’s too short for safe wines — sip bold. 🍷