Bosque de Matasnos Etiqueta Blanca 2022

Bosque de Matasnos Etiqueta Blanca is the estate red from the Bosque de Matasnos winery in D.O. Ribera del Duero. It blends Tempranillo with a small proportion of Merlot, drawn from a single farm planted at around 950 metres with old vines over 60 years old. The soils are typical of the region, sandy clay loam that is poor in organic matter, restricting vigour and driving the vines to concentrate fruit. At nearly 1,000 metres frosts are common and the nights are cold, so the wide diurnal range preserves acidity and aromatic freshness even as the daytime sun ripens the fruit fully, here to 15 percent alcohol. The wine ages 12 months in French and American oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannin and the two woods layer in spice, vanilla and a darker roasted tone. The colour is deep and saturated. The nose is intense, with ripe black fruit, dark chocolate, coffee and a herbal, peppery lift. The palate is robust and full bodied, the tannin substantial but ripe, the high altitude freshness keeping the long finish in balance. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast beef and game.