Bardos Reserva 2021

Bodegas Bardos sources from old, low-production vineyards across the best plots of the Ribera del Duero, the high Duero valley where altitude near 800 metres drives a severe day-to-night temperature swing. That diurnal range lets Tinta del Pais, the local Tempranillo, build ripe tannin and dark fruit while holding the firm acidity that underpins a Reserva. The blend is around 90 percent Tinta del Pais with 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter adding colour, structure and a balsamic lift. Hand harvest in the first week of October into small 15-kilo boxes prevents the clusters from breaking, and a selection table sorts the fruit before fermentation. The wine ages 16 months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves fixes the deep colour, polishes the tannin and folds in clove, vanilla and a chocolate-edged spice. The colour is dense ruby with a purple rim. The nose shows ripe forest fruit and plum over balsamic herbs, dark chocolate and sweet oak spice. The palate is full and structured, with firm ripe tannin, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead, with grilled red meat.