Dominio del Águila Reserva 2021

Dominio del Águila was founded in 2010 by Jorge Monzón and Isabel Rodero in La Aguilera, in the Burgos heart of Ribera del Duero. Monzón trained in Bordeaux and worked at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Vega Sicilia before setting up on his own. The Reserva comes from 30 hectares of organically farmed vineyards, with Tempranillo as the main variety alongside old plantings of Albillo, Bobal and Garnacha, a field-blend approach typical of the region's oldest sites. Ribera del Duero sits high on the Castilian plateau, where the wide swing between hot days and cold nights slows ripening and builds both colour and firm tannin. The wine ages for 35 months in oak, a long élevage that adds spice and resolves the structure through slow oxidation. The colour is deep and dense. The nose shows ripe black fruit, blackberry and blueberry, with black pepper, clove and a savoury, earthy undertone. The palate is full and firm, with grippy tannins and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, and decant young. It calls for roast beef, lamb or game.