Mauro Terreus Paraje de Cueva Baja 2023

Terreus is the single-vineyard red from Bodegas Mauro in Castilla y Leon, made by Mariano Garcia, who spent almost thirty years as the winemaker at Vega Sicilia. The wine comes from Paraje de Cueva Baja, a plot of barely three hectares of old Tempranillo vines planted in loose sandy-clay soil. The sandy fraction drains well and keeps the vines free of vigour, while the small parcel and vine age hold yields very low and concentrate the fruit. The estate is farmed without herbicides, with care for the surrounding fauna and reserves. Sitting outside the Ribera del Duero boundary, the wine carries the regional VT Castilla-Leon, though the Duero character is clear. It is raised for thirty months in French oak, a long elevage that polishes the tannin through gradual oxygen exchange and layers vanilla, cedar and cocoa over the dark fruit, while malolactic fermentation softens the acidity. The colour is deep ruby. The nose offers dark plum and black cherry, fine spice, sweet tobacco and vanilla. The palate is full and structured, with ripe, firm tannin and a long finish. Decant an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees.