Dehesa de los Canónigos Quinta Generación 2024

Dehesa de los Canónigos released Quinta Generación as their youngest wine, created by oenologist Belén Sanz for the winery's 25th anniversary in D.O. Ribera del Duero. It is a single-variety Tempranillo drawn from one twenty-year-old vineyard called El Caserío. Ribera del Duero lies high on the northern Castilian plateau, where hot summer days are followed by sharply cold nights. That wide diurnal range is what gives the region's Tempranillo its deep colour, firm acidity and aromatic freshness, and here it keeps the wine bright and balanced at a moderate 13.5% alcohol. The single vineyard gives consistency of fruit, and the relatively young vines lend an open, fruit-forward character. Ageing is brief, just four months in American oak barrels, enough to round the edges and add a light frame of sweet spice and vanilla while keeping the fresh fruit in front. This is a wine built for early drinking rather than the cellar. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose shows ripe cherry, red berries and a touch of plum, with a gentle oak lift. The palate is medium-bodied and supple, with soft tannins, fresh acidity and a clean, juicy finish. Serve at 16 degrees. It pairs well with grilled meats and tapas.