Celeste Crianza 2022

Pago del Cielo produces Celeste Crianza in D.O. Ribera del Duero, in Peñafiel, from 100 percent Tinto Fino, the local strain of Tempranillo. The grapes are grown at high altitude, around 900 metres, a height that gives the wine its name and its character: cold nights and a wide diurnal range slow ripening, deepen colour and hold acidity in a hot continental climate. The poor, stony limestone and clay soils restrain yields and concentrate the fruit. The wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, a crianza ageing that softens the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and layers in vanilla, sweet spice and a light toast, with American oak lending a rounder, coconut-tinged note. The result is a deep dark-cherry red with an intense nose of candied blueberry and prune over chocolate, vanilla and toasted oak. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ripe black fruit, cocoa and spice carried by firm, well-knit tannins to a long finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits roast and grilled red meats, game and mushroom dishes.