Bodega Renacimiento Rento 2017

Rento is a Ribera del Duero red from Bodega Renacimiento in Castilla y Leon, a single-varietal made from Tinta del Pais, the local name for Tempranillo. The fruit comes from two estates, Pago de las Celadillas and Pago de Zurita, around seven hectares on soils of clayey sand and limestone that drain well and lend structure and freshness. The vines are over 25 years old, and at Ribera's altitude the hot days and cold nights slow ripening and hold acidity. Grapes are picked by hand into small 20-kilogram crates to keep the berries whole and intact. With time behind it, this 2017 has aged 18 months in American oak, whose looser grain and sweet aromatics build vanilla and spice while slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannins, followed by a further 24 months in bottle that softens and integrates the wine. It is deep ruby with a garnet edge, showing ripe plum and cherry that move into leather, tobacco, cocoa and toasty oak as it opens. The palate is full and structured, with firm but resolving tannins and a long savoury finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted, with roast lamb or grilled beef.