Baron de Ley Finca Monasterio 2022

Baron de Ley makes Finca Monasterio from a single vineyard planted in 1985 around a Benedictine monastery founded in the 16th century at Mendavia, in Rioja Baja, which gives the wine its name. Sourcing the fruit from one site gives a focused, consistent expression of Tempranillo, the single variety here. Rioja Baja is the warmest, driest part of the region, so the grapes ripen fully and the wine carries riper, darker fruit than the cooler western sub zones. After harvest the wine ages at least a year, here 15 months, in French oak, which softens the firm tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds cedar, vanilla and a savoury spice. It pours a deep red, with aromas of ripe plum and black cherry, fruit preserve and cocoa over tobacco, sweet spice and a hint of tea. The palate is full and structured at 14 percent, with dense fruit, fine tannin and a long polished finish. Decant half an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees. It suits roast lamb and grilled red meat.