Pesquera MXI 2022

Pesquera MXI is a varietal Tempranillo from Pesquera, the Ribera del Duero estate built by Alejandro Fernández and now in the hands of his granddaughters, who keep the house style while bringing newer ideas to the cellar. Ribera del Duero runs along the high Castilian plateau, where Tempranillo, known locally as Tinto Fino, ripens slowly at altitude on limestone and clay. The cold nights hold acidity in the grapes and concentrate flavour, which is the source of the region's deep colour and structure. The wine spends 14 months in American oak barrels followed by 6 months in bottle before release. American oak gives a sweeter, more open aromatic of vanilla and coconut than French oak, and the bottle ageing lets the tannins settle and the components knit together. It shows a deep cherry-red. The nose is ripe black fruit, plum and cherry, with vanilla and a clear minty lift. The palate is full and rounded, the oak well integrated, with grip on the finish that calls for food. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant before serving. Good with grilled and roasted red meats.