Dominio de Atauta La Mala 2019

Dominio de Atauta sits high in the Atauta valley of Ribera del Duero, on Spain's northern Castilian plateau. La Mala is named after a single plot whose old Tinto Fino vines crop very lightly; that low yield concentrates sugar, colour and phenolics in each berry, which is the source of the wine's depth. The valley lies above 900 metres, and the wide gap between hot days and cold nights slows ripening, holding acidity and fixing aromatic compounds in the skins. The chalky, sandy soils drain freely and force the roots deep, lending a mineral, earthy backbone. After fermentation the wine spends 18 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves softens the tannins and adds vanilla, spice and a savoury edge. The colour is deep cherry. The nose carries ripe black cherry and plum over earth, liquorice and tobacco, with cedar and vanilla from the wood. The palate is full and structured, the tannins firm but ripe, closing long and mineral. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and hard sheep's cheese.