Condado de Oriza Reserva 2020

Condado de Oriza Reserva is a Ribera del Duero red made by Pagos del Rey in Olmedillo de Roa, from Tinta del Pais, the local name for Tempranillo. The vines are over twenty years old and grow on the high plateau of Burgos, where vineyards sit around 800 metres above sea level. The altitude drives a sharp day to night temperature swing that ripens the thick-skinned fruit slowly, building colour, tannin and depth while preserving acidity. The chalky clay and limestone soils give the wine its structure and dark fruit profile. As a Reserva, it spends twenty-four months in French and American oak, a long ageing that softens the firm tannin and layers vanilla, toast and spice over the fruit, followed by bottle age before release. Malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity into a fuller texture. It is deep ruby with a garnet edge, showing aromas of ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry over vanilla, clove and toasted oak. The palate is full bodied and firm, with grippy tannin, fresh acidity and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting at least an hour ahead. It pairs with roast and grilled red meats and aged cheese.