Pesquera Crianza 2022

Pesquera Crianza 2022 is made by Tinto Pesquera, the Familia Fernández Rivera estate in D.O. Ribera del Duero, from one hundred per cent Tempranillo grown on around two hundred hectares. The vineyards sit on sand and gravel over a limestone and clay subsoil. The free-draining topsoil controls vine vigour while the limestone subsoil retains water and lends freshness, both of which concentrate the fruit. The climate is Mediterranean with a strong continental character, with dry summers, long hard winters and a wide swing between day and night temperatures; that diurnal range builds ripe tannin and colour by day and preserves acidity by night. The wine ages for eighteen months in French and American oak, where slow oxygen exchange across the staves rounds the tannin and adds vanilla, cocoa and spice, with the American oak leaning toward sweeter spice. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose shows ripe strawberry and dark fruit over cocoa, liquorice and a hint of vanilla. The palate is full bodied and firm, with ripe tannin, fresh acidity and a long spiced finish. Serve at 17C, decanting an hour ahead. It pairs with roast lamb, grilled beef, game and aged hard cheese.