Finca Sobreño Crianza 2021

Finca Sobreno Crianza is a red from the D.O. Toro, made by Bodegas Sobreno in the municipality of Toro in Zamora. The grape is Tinta de Toro, the local strain of Tempranillo that gives the region's wines their depth and power. Half the estate's vines are bush trained and more than thirty years old, with a quarter farmed organically. Toro lies on the high plain of Castilla y Leon, where a hot, dry continental climate and very wide swings between day and night temperatures ripen the fruit fully while preserving acidity, building deep colour and firm tannin. The wine spends eight months in American oak, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and the wood adds vanilla, coconut and sweet spice, the signature of American as opposed to French oak. It is deep and concentrated, with dark plum and red berry fruit, liquorice, pepper and an earthy undertow, framed by sweet spice. The palate is full and structured, with firm but ripe tannins and a long finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanting half an hour ahead. A natural match for roast and grilled red meat.