Leda Viñas Viejas 2020

Leda Viñas Viejas is a Tempranillo from the Leda winery in Castilla y León, sourced from several old-vine plots, each adding its own character. All the vines are over 50 years old, the low yields concentrating the fruit. The grapes are vinified separately by plot, age and growing method, and are always destemmed. The wine undergoes a long fermentation and extended maceration in closed tanks, drawing deep colour and firm tannin from the skins. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French and American oak barrels, where the wine then matures for around 30 months. This long barrel ageing allows slow oxygen exchange through the wood, which polishes the tannins, fixes the colour and layers in spice, vanilla and cedar, while the malolactic conversion softens the acidity into a fuller, rounder texture. The wine is intense, brilliant cherry red. The nose shows ripe black fruits such as blackberry and plum, dark chocolate, black pepper and sweet spice over leather and liquorice. The palate is full and structured, with firm, ripe tannins and a long, warming finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted, with roast and grilled red meats.