Bardos Suprema 2021

Bardos Suprema comes from the high moor of Ribera del Duero in Castilla y Leon, made entirely from Tinta del Pais, the local name for Tempranillo. The fruit is drawn from old, low yielding vineyards, including two small parcels of vines more than 80 years old planted above 940 metres on stony, rocky ground. That altitude brings a wide diurnal swing, with hot days and cold nights that hold acidity and slow ripening, while the rocky soil drains freely and limits vine vigour, concentrating the small berries. Harvest fell in the first week of October. The wine spent 30 months in French oak, a long maturation that softens the tannin and adds oxygen slowly through the staves, building a savoury frame of cedar and spice around the fruit. The colour is deep and almost opaque, with a black violet rim. The nose shows blackberry and black cherry compote, liquorice and toasted oak, while the palate is full and structured, with ripe tannin, dark fruit and a long, spiced finish. Decant an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees in a large glass. It suits roast lamb and aged Manchego.