Background

The Tinto Pesquera Janus Gran Reserva 2018 was named after Janus, the Roman god with two heads who could see both past and future. This is a unique wine that mirrors that duality. It blends ancient and modern winemaking techniques. The story began in 1982, a year with an excellent harvest.

Alejandro Fernández decided to experiment by making two wines from the same grapes. Half of the clusters were pressed whole using traditional methods, while the other half were de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. One wine was sold locally, and the other became his first export. He then aged equal portions of both wines for three years in old American oak barrels. In 1986, Janus was born—a complex, balanced wine with velvety richness and intricate nuances. It is only produced in years with exceptional grapes, standing out distinctly within the range.

The Wine

This Gran Reserva Ribera del Duero delivers a rich and complex tasting experience. It opens with aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, tobacco, leather, and subtle spices like cinnamon and cloves. Oak and vanilla from the aging process also add depth.

The palate is full-bodied, offering concentrated dark fruit flavors balanced by notes of cedar, tobacco, and hints of chocolate. Smooth tannins and well-integrated acidity create structure, leading to a long, elegant finish with earthy and spicy undertones. The velvety texture enhances the wine’s depth, making it ideal for those who appreciate nuanced and robust reds.

Vintage Notes

The 2018 growing season featured long, cold winters and short, dry, hot summers. The Ribera del Duero Regulatory Board rated the vintage as “Very Good.”

Vineyard Notes

The grapes for this wine come from one of the wineries most special plots, “La Rendeja”. The wine is vinified in the traditional way with spontaneous but temperature-controlled fermentations. It is then aged for 28 months in American oak barrels, which contributes to its structure, length and richness of aromas.

History

Alejandro Fernández has shaped vine-growing in Ribera del Duero for nearly 40 years, continuing his family tradition and following in his father’s footsteps. In 1975, he achieved his dream of producing a great wine with the release of his first ‘Tinto.’

His flagship winery played a key role in establishing the success of the emerging wine-producing DO, where the Tempranillo grape reigns supreme. His dedication and expertise have earned him numerous awards and international acclaim. Robert Parker, the esteemed American critic, recognized him as one of Spain’s top producers, celebrating the exceptional quality of his wines.