Dominio de Bornos Crianza 2022

Palacio de Bornos draws this Crianza from Tempranillo, known locally as Tinto Fino, grown across the D.O. Ribera del Duero in Castilla y León. The vineyards sit on a high plateau above 800 metres, where chalky limestone and clay soils and a wide diurnal range between hot days and cold nights build deep colour, ripe fruit and firm acidity in the grapes. The wine is aged twelve months in oak, which fixes its colour through slow oxygen exchange, softens the tannins and adds spice and toast to the fruit. It pours deep ruby with a garnet rim and shows a nose of ripe plum, black cherry and blackberry layered with vanilla, sweet tobacco and cocoa from the barrel. The palate is full bodied and structured, with dense dark fruit, firm but ripe tannins and a savoury, lightly peppery finish. This is a classic Ribera red built for the table and for several years in the cellar. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted for an hour, in a large bowled glass. It is made for roast lamb, grilled beef and hard Castilian cheese.