Dominio de Atauta San Juan 2019

San Juan is one of Dominio de Atauta's single vineyard wines from the Valle de Atauta, a small valley only four kilometres long on the Sorian edge of Ribera del Duero. The strength of these wines lies in the immense diversity of soils, elevations and depths across the valley, here expressed through a single plot of old, ungrafted Tinto Fino. High altitude and a sharp continental climate drive a wide diurnal range that holds acidity and colour while the ancient vines, naturally low in yield, concentrate the fruit and keep alcohol moderate at fourteen percent. The wine is farmed organically. After fermentation it ages twenty months in oak, a long elevage that integrates the firm tannins, stabilises colour through gentle oxygen exchange and frames the fruit with spice. In the glass it is deep and intense, the nose unfolding generous dark plum and red berry over earth, pepper, tobacco and liquorice. The palate is powerful and structured yet fresh, with fine, gripping tannins and a long, savoury finish. Serve at sixteen to eighteen degrees and decant; it suits roasted and braised red meats.