Dominio del Soto Crianza 2020

Dominio del Soto work organically and biodynamically in Castilla y León, within the Ribera del Duero appellation. The vineyards sit on the high Castilian plateau, where chalky limestone subsoils retain water through dry summers and a wide gap between hot days and cold nights slows ripening, fixing colour and acidity in the Tempranillo skins. The fruit ferments and then ages for twelve months split between French oak barrels and concrete deposits. Concrete holds the wine in an inert, oxygen-stable environment that keeps primary fruit fresh, while the oak allows slow micro-oxygenation that softens tannin and adds spice. The result is a Crianza of deep ruby colour. The nose carries ripe plum and black cherry over tobacco, vanilla and a turned-earth note, and the palate is full and firm, with liquorice and black pepper running through a grippy, savoury finish lifted by altitude-driven acidity. At 15 percent it has real weight without heat. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast and grilled red meat, slow-cooked lamb and mature hard cheese.