Full Flap

Full Flap comes from Bodegas Vilano in Ribera del Duero, a Castilla y León winery growing Tempranillo on the high Duero plateau since 1957. The vineyards sit at altitude on a continental site of cold winters and hot summers, with a wide gap between day and night temperatures during ripening. That diurnal swing holds back the loss of acidity while the grapes accumulate sugar and colour, giving fruit that is ripe but still fresh. This bottling is the winery's looser interpretation of the region, built for early drinking rather than long ageing. The wine spends three months in oak barrels, a short passage that softens the texture and adds a light vanilla edge without covering the fruit, and there is no extended maturation to firm up the tannins. The colour is bright cherry red. The nose leads with ripe forest fruits, raspberry and plum, lifted by gentle vanilla and a touch of warm spice. The palate is juicy and rounded, with moderate tannin and the savoury, earthy undertone typical of Tempranillo from this plateau. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It works well with roast pork, grilled chicken and mushroom dishes.