Aciano 2021

Aciano comes from Alvar de Dios Hernández, who built his project around the old vines his grandfather farmed at El Pego in Toro. It is made from Tinta de Toro, the local Tempranillo, grown under organic and biodynamic principles. Toro's hot, dry continental climate and sandy, stony soils produce a naturally powerful, deeply coloured grape, and old, low-yielding vines concentrate the fruit further while keeping balance. The wine ages twelve months in used French oak barrels. Older barrels add little new oak flavour and instead allow gentle oxygen exchange that softens the firm tannins and adds polish, so the focus stays on the fruit and the site rather than the wood, in a classic, restrained style. The colour is deep purple. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum over liquorice, black pepper and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long, dark-fruited finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanted for half an hour. It suits grilled and roast red meats.