Francisco Barona

Widely regarded as one of Ribera del Duero’s most promising young winemakers, Francisco Barona hails from a family of viticulturists. He honed his craft in Bordeaux, working at Château Pavie-Macquin while studying enology at the University of Bordeaux. Barona went on to gain experience at prestigious estates including Château Malescot St. Exupéry, Château Angélus, Hartwell Estate in Napa, and Klein Constantia in South Africa before returning home in 2010 to establish his own winery. His first vintage was released in 2014, and production remains exceptionally small. Francisco Barona’s wines are defined by their purity and precision, and the 2023 vintage is no exception. A blend dominated by Tempranillo (locally called Tinto Fino), with small additions of Grenache and Albillo, this wine offers a beautifully layered expression of Ribera del Duero. The nose is vivid with blackberry, cherry, and brambly red fruit, lifted by subtle notes of vanilla. On the palate, it’s unmistakably Barona: silky and finely textured, yet structured and composed. The fruit is deep and concentrated, framed by polished, finely grained tannins. The finish is long, dark-fruited, and refined — an elegant wine with the potential for graceful aging. As an aside, he also makes a single plot wine labeled as Finca Las Dueñas; the wine reviewed here is designated very simply — but is far from simple. 96 Miranda Franco

For full report and tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website and subscribe.