Alonso del Yerro Magnum 2021

Alonso del Yerro is produced by Viñedos Alonso del Yerro at the Santa Marta estate in Roa, Burgos, within D.O. Ribera del Duero. Javier Alonso and María del Yerro settled here in 2002 and farm 22 hectares of Tempranillo planted from the late 1980s, working with Bordeaux oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt. The high Duero plateau brings a wide diurnal swing, with hot days and cold nights that slow ripening and hold acidity, while the chalky limestone subsoil drives structure and freshness in the fruit. The wine ages for twelve months in French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the firm Tempranillo tannins and folds in measured spice without masking the fruit. It pours a deep ruby and opens with ripe red and black fruit, liquorice and a hint of toast from the wood. The palate is full and structured, with firm but ripe tannins, dark cherry and plum, and a long savoury finish. This is a serious Ribera del Duero in magnum format, built to develop further in bottle. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead; it suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged hard cheese.