Cair Selección La Aguilera 2021

Cair Selección La Aguilera is a red from D.O. Ribera del Duero made by Dominio de Cair, the project the Luis Cañas family launched in 2008 in the appellation. The fruit comes from old vineyards in the Burgos village of La Aguilera, where the Tempranillo vines are more than forty-five years old. These old vines give naturally low yields of small, concentrated berries. They grow on the limestone and clay soils of the high Duero plateau, where the wide swing between hot days and cold nights extends ripening and locks in colour, ripe tannin and fresh acidity. The wine ages fourteen months in French and American oak, where malolactic conversion softens the acidity, slow oxygen exchange polymerises and rounds the firm tannins, and the two woods add spice and vanilla. The colour is deep, dark cherry. The nose carries juicy black fruit, wildflowers and a balsamic, earthy note that recalls the high plateau and its scrub. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ripe, firm tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and mature cheeses.