Carmelo Rodero Crianza 2023

Bodegas Rodero is a family estate at Pedrosa de Duero, south of Burgos, founded by Carmelo Rodero after years selling fruit to Vega Sicilia. This Crianza blends Tempranillo at 90 percent with 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, from vineyards over 15 years old on the high Ribera del Duero plateau. The continental climate brings hot days and cold nights, and the wide diurnal range builds deep colour and firm tannin while holding the acidity that balances the wine's 15 percent alcohol. Poor limestone and clay soils restrain vigour and concentrate the fruit. The wine ages for fifteen months in French and American oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange knits the tannins together and the Cabernet adds a darker, structuring edge to the Tempranillo. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose blends ripe Tempranillo fruit, raspberry and blackberry, with toasty oak, sweet spice and a hint of cocoa. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ample ripe tannins, a generous core of dark fruit and a long, warming, lightly peppery finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted. It is built for roast and grilled red meats.