Clave de Tábula 2018

Clave de Tábula is a red from D.O. Ribera del Duero, made by the Tábula winery from a single high-altitude vineyard planted to fifty year old Tempranillo above 930 metres. Altitude is central to the style: the thin air and cold nights widen the gap between day and night temperatures, which slows ripening and keeps natural acidity firm even as the dark fruit concentrates. Old vines yield little but deliver intense, balanced grapes. After a manual harvest the fruit is sorted twice, first by bunch and then by berry, before a six day cold maceration ahead of fermentation. Alcoholic fermentation runs in 30 hectolitre French oak vats, with malolactic fermentation in French oak barrel to convert sharp malic acid into softer lactic acid and round the texture. The wine then ages fourteen months in French oak barrel followed by time in larger foudres, where slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannins. It is deep ruby, with black cherry, plum, liquorice and tobacco over toast and spice. The palate is full and structured, with ripe tannins and a long finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits roast and grilled red meats and game.