Hacienda Solano Selección 2024

Hacienda Solano Selección is a Tinto Fino red from La Aguilera, in the Burgos heart of the D.O. Ribera del Duero, made by the Cubillo family, who turned from selling their grapes to making their own wine in 2001. The vineyards sit on the high plateau of the upper Duero, around 800 to 900 metres, on limestone and clay-limestone soils. At that altitude the days are warm but the nights are cold, and the wide swing slows ripening so the grapes build deep colour and concentration while holding firm acidity, the balance that gives Ribera reds their power without heaviness. The wine spends 8 months in French oak, enough to settle and round the tannins and add vanilla, toast and cocoa through slow oxygen exchange while keeping the dark fruit in front. The colour is deep, intense ruby. The nose is concentrated, with ripe plum and black cherry over cocoa, liquorice and sweet spice. The palate is full and structured, the tannins firm and ripe, the finish long and savoury. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted, with roast and grilled red meat.