Avan Viñedos Viejos 2023

Avan Vinedos Viejos is a single variety Tempranillo from D.O. Ribera del Duero, made by Bodegas y Vinedos Juan Manuel Burgos at Fuentelcesped in Burgos. The estate dates from 1996 and worked from vines cloned from the founder's grandfather's stock, the source of these old plantings. The climate is Mediterranean with a strong continental character, with moderate to low rainfall, hot days and cold nights. That wide diurnal range slows ripening, holds the acidity and locks in deep colour, while the long season carries the alcohol to 14.5 percent. Old vines on the high plain crop little, concentrating the fruit and adding depth. Ageing runs eighteen months in French oak, a long spell in which slow oxygen exchange refines the tannin while the wood adds vanilla, cocoa and fine spice. The colour is dense, near opaque ruby. The nose shows ripe plum and black cherry over vanilla, tobacco, cocoa and liquorice. The palate is full bodied and firm, with ripe, structured tannin and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 degrees in a large bowled glass, decanting young bottles for an hour. It is built for roast and grilled red meats.