Finca El Peruco 2019

Finca El Peruco is a red wine from Goyo García Viticultor, made in Gumiel de Mercado within Ribera del Duero. Goyo García Viadero left the path of the family winery, Valduero, to work native varieties and restore old vineyards, farming without herbicides or pesticides and avoiding enzymes, non-native yeasts and added preservatives in the cellar. The plateau here sits high above the Duero on limestone and sandy soils, where wide diurnal swings between hot days and cold nights slow ripening and hold acidity and aromatic detail in the fruit. Tempranillo carries the wine, with a small portion of the white Albillo grape co-fermented to lift aromatics and soften the tannin. Ageing runs to 17 months in used French oak, so the barrel adds slow oxygen exchange and structure rather than fresh vanilla and toast. The colour is deep ruby. The nose leads with plum and cherry over earth, dried herbs and a touch of leather and tobacco. The palate is medium to full, with fine tannin, fresh acidity and a savoury, mineral finish shaped by the limestone. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, and decant an hour ahead. Good with roast lamb, grilled beef or mushroom rice.