Gran Valtravieso 2019

Bodegas Valtravieso, founded by agronomist Pablo Gonzalez Betere, sits on the high plateau of Ribera del Duero in Castilla y Leon, where Tinto Fino, the local Tempranillo, ripens at altitude. The elevation drives a wide day-to-night temperature swing: hot days build ripe, dark fruit and full sugar, while cold nights lock in acidity and colour and slow the loss of aromatic detail. The continental climate and poor, stony soils stress the vines and concentrate the fruit. The wine first spends twelve months in cement tanks, which let it settle and integrate without adding flavour, then twelve months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange firms the structure and layers in spice and cocoa. The colour is a vibrant cherry red with ruby glints. The nose is rich, with ripe cherry and plum over black pepper, liquorice, oak-derived cocoa and an earthy base. The palate is full and structured, the high alcohol carried by firm tannin and altitude-driven acidity to a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18C, decanting an hour ahead; it suits roast lamb and grilled beef.