Producer

One of Spain’s most fascinating, acclaimed and sought-after domaines tells the story of an enlightened vigneron, Jorge Monzón. He spent two years working alongside Bernard Noblet at the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, followed by a year at Vega Sicilia and ten years at Arzuaga Navarro, before returning to his home village of La Aguilera, in Ribera del Duero.

Jorge brought together some of the region’s finest old vineyards and, together with Isabel Rodero, revived historic Ribera practices, working with whole bunches, indigenous yeasts and long élevage, always with an almost obsessive attention to detail. The result has established Dominio del Águila as one of the most important producers in contemporary Spain, crafting whites, clarets and reds of extraordinary identity.

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Wine

The Dominio del Águila Pícaro del Águila Tinto 2023 is the domaine’s most accessible and immediate expression, without sacrificing the seriousness or ageing potential that define Jorge Monzón’s wines.

It is made predominantly from Tempranillo, accompanied by around 5% of other varieties, sourced from small parcels in the warmer part of La Aguilera. Fermentation takes place with whole bunches and indigenous yeasts in concrete, stainless steel and wooden vessels, followed by 16 months of ageing in French oak barrels.

In 2023, the wine shows dark fruit, mineral notes and a subtly stony character. The palate is juicy and silky, with rounded tannins, freshness and particularly vibrant energy. According to Luis Gutiérrez, the oak is better integrated than in the 2022 vintage and, despite the challenges of the growing season, the wine is particularly well resolved.

A total of 97,622 bottles and 2,025 Magnums were produced and bottled in February 2025.

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Score

Robert Parker Wine Advocate: 94+ points

Luis Gutiérrez highlights its dark fruit, stony minerality and distinctive energy, describing the wine as “juicy and silky with round tannins.”

He also notes that the 2023 successfully overcame the challenges of the vintage, resulting in a particularly well-resolved wine with better-integrated oak than the 2022.

Recommended drinking window: 2026 to 2033.

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Technical Information

Region: Ribera del Duero, Castilla y León, Spain
Producer: Dominio del Águila
Grape Varieties: Predominantly Tempranillo, with around 5% other varieties
Fermentation: Whole bunches and indigenous yeasts
Vessels: Concrete, stainless steel and wood
Ageing: 16 months in French oak barrels
Alcohol: 14%
pH: 3.45
Production: 97,622 bottles and 2,025 Magnums
Bottling: February 2025

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Food Pairing

• Roast lamb

• Grilled red meats

• Ibérico pork

• Game dishes

• Traditional Spanish stews

• Aged cheeses