Fuentespina Crianza 2023

Fuentespina is a Ribera del Duero winery founded in 1995 within the Bodegas Avelino Vegas group. This Crianza is pure Tempranillo from old vineyards around 50 years old, whose low yields and deep roots concentrate the fruit. Ribera del Duero is a high continental plateau where dry summers and harsh winters meet a wide diurnal range, the day to night swing that lets Tempranillo ripen to deep colour and firm tannin while holding the acidity and aromatic freshness that keep the wine fresh. The must macerates and ferments under controlled temperature to manage extraction, drawing colour and tannin from the skins without coarseness, then the wine ages 16 months in new French oak. New barrels give more oxygen exchange and a stronger imprint of vanilla, toast and spice, softening the tannins and adding aromatic layers. The colour is dark and saturated. The nose is ripe and oak-framed, with blackberry and plum over vanilla, toast and a savoury edge. The palate is full and structured, the tannins firm but ripe, carried by fresh acidity to a long, spicy finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It is built for grilled and roasted red meat.