Conde de San Cristóbal 2022

Conde de San Cristóbal is a red from the winery of the same name in D.O. Ribera del Duero, founded in 2008 and part of the Marqués de Vargas group, based in Peñafiel in Valladolid. It is built mainly on Tinta Fina, the local Tempranillo, with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to round the structure. The vines are 12 to 32 years old, and the winery farms gently without pesticides or herbicides. Ribera del Duero sits high on the Castilian plateau, where hot days and cold nights ripen the Tinto Fino fully while preserving the firm acidity that gives the region its freshness. The wine ages 12 months in a mix of French, Caucasian and American oak, a shorter élevage that keeps the fruit forward while the three woods layer cedar, fine spice and vanilla and soften the tannins. It is deep cherry red. The nose shows ripe cherry, plum and red berries over vanilla, toast and a savoury, earthy edge. The palate is medium to full bodied and supple, with ripe fruit, smooth tannins and a clean, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, with grilled or roast meat.