Dominio del Bendito El Buen Rollo 2021

Dominio del Bendito is one of the more interesting estates in the D.O. Toro, in Castilla y León, run by Antony Terryn with a low intervention approach. Toro sits on a high, dry plateau where wide day to night temperature swings and old bush vines of Tinta de Toro, the local strain of Tempranillo, produce thick skinned, deeply coloured fruit and naturally high sugars, which is why the wine reaches 16 percent. El Buen Rollo is the fresh, early drinking side of the estate: a single varietal Tinta de Toro that spends less than five months, around four, in barrel, so oak stays in the background and the wine keeps its vibrancy. The short élevage softens the tannins through gentle oxygen exchange without layering on heavy wood spice. Respectful farming is used across the vineyards. The colour is deep, almost opaque ruby. The nose is intense, with cherry and raspberry over black pepper and a hint of liquorice, and the palate is concentrated and warming, with ripe fruit, firm but rounded tannin and a long, dark chocolate close. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees in a large glass, and decant briefly. Match it with grilled red meat and lamb.