Matarromera Gran Reserva 2016

Matarromera, the founding winery of Carlos Moro's group in Ribera del Duero, makes this Gran Reserva from Tempranillo, the variety known locally as Tinto Fino. Ribera sits high on the Castilian plateau, where a continental climate of hot days and cold nights creates a wide diurnal range that slows ripening and fixes deep colour, ripe tannin and bright acidity in the skins. The Gran Reserva ages twenty-four months in American oak followed by thirty-six months in bottle. American barrels give pronounced vanilla, coconut and sweet spice, while the long barrel ageing lets oxygen soften and polymerise the tannins; the further three years in bottle integrate the wood and develop tertiary, savoury complexity before release. The wine is deep cherry red with aromas of ripe blackberry and plum, leather, tobacco, sweet baking spice and vanilla. The palate is full and structured at 14.5 percent, with ripe, fine-grained tannin and a long, complex finish. It is mature but still firm. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast and grilled red meats and aged cheese.