992 Finca Río Negro 2023

992 Finca Rio Negro takes its name from its altitude, an estate of 42 hectares lying at 992 metres in Castilla La Mancha under the VT Castilla classification. It blends Tempranillo at around 55 percent with Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, a Spanish core in a Bordeaux style frame. The high, exposed site is central to the wine. The thin air and wide day to night temperature swing slow ripening, building colour, tannin and aromatic complexity while preserving acidity, and the soils are poor in organic matter, which restricts vigour and concentrates the fruit. The vines are trained on trellises by the cordon Royat method to manage the canopy and ripen the bunches evenly. The wine is aged thirteen months in French and American oak barrels. The French oak adds fine grained tannin and spice, while the American oak contributes a softer sweetness of vanilla and coconut, and the slow oxygen exchange rounds the structure. It is full bodied and structured, with dark plum and cherry fruit, pepper, cocoa, vanilla and a tobacco edge over firm tannins. Decant for an hour and serve at around 17 to 18C; it suits roast and grilled red meats.