Arzuaga Reserva 2021

Arzuaga Reserva is made by Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro in D.O. Ribera del Duero, from old vines on the winery's own La Planta estate. It is built around Tinto Fino, the local Tempranillo, with Merlot and a little Albillo. The La Planta soils are clay rich with limestone less than a metre down, a poor, well draining base that, combined with the harsh climate at this altitude, gives low yields and very concentrated fruit. Ribera's high plateau brings hot days and cold nights, a swing that builds colour, tannin and aroma while holding acidity. The harvest is done by hand at peak ripeness into 15 kilogram boxes, with a sorting table to select the fruit. The wine ages for thirty months in French and American oak, a long élevage during which slow oxygen exchange through the staves polymerises and softens the tannins and the wood contributes coffee, vanilla, clove and toast that frame the ripe fruit. The colour is deep, dark cherry. The nose shows ripe red and black fruit, roasted coffee and fine spice, and the palate is full bodied, deep and structured, with fine grained tannin and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. A natural with roast red meat and game.