Dominio Romano 2017

Dominio Romano sets out to carry the character of Tinto Fino and its Ribera del Duero vineyards straight into the glass. The wine is made entirely from Tinto Fino, the local Tempranillo, grown on vines of around thirty years on the high Duero plateau, where limestone and clay soils and a wide day-to-night temperature range give the grape its depth of colour, ripe fruit and firm acidity. The grapes undergo a seven-day skin maceration and a relatively short fermentation, then thirteen months in 400-litre French and Hungarian oak barrels; the larger format means gentler oak contact and more measured oxidation, keeping the emphasis on fruit and soil rather than wood. It is bottled unstabilised and with minimal filtering, so a natural sediment can form over time. Deep ruby, the nose is savoury and earthy, with dark plum and cherry, black pepper, liquorice and a light tobacco note. The palate is structured and firm, the tannins fine-grained, finishing long, mineral and dry. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant to settle any sediment. Good with roast red meats, game and mushroom dishes.