Cair Cuvée 2023

Cair Cuvée is the entry red from Dominio de Cair, the Ribera del Duero project of the Luis Cañas family. It blends 85 per cent Tempranillo with 15 per cent Merlot from low yielding vines aged 20 to 25 years, planted at around 900 metres above sea level. That altitude gives a wide diurnal range, with warm days ripening the fruit and cold nights preserving acidity and aromatic freshness, so the wine keeps lift despite its 14 per cent alcohol. The chalky, sandy soils of the high Duero plateau hold little water and limit vigour, concentrating colour and tannin in small berries. After a double selection of the best bunches and grapes, the wine ages nine months in French and American oak, which softens the tannins and adds a measured frame of vanilla and toast without masking the fruit. It pours a deep cherry red. The nose leads with ripe cherry and raspberry over a savoury, earthy base, with sweet spice and liquorice from the barrel. The palate is broad and structured, with grainy tannins and good freshness through a long finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, ideally decanted. Good with roast lamb or grilled beef.