Pinna Fidelis Gran Reserva 2020

Pinna Fidelis farms 200 hectares of its own vineyards around Peñafiel, one of the best sites in D.O. Ribera del Duero in Castilla y León. The region sits high on the Duero plateau, where stony limestone and clay soils and a wide swing between hot days and cold nights slow ripening and fix deep colour, firm tannin and bright acidity in the Tinta del País, the local Tempranillo. This Gran Reserva is built for the long haul, made only in the strongest vintages from older fruit. It spends twenty-four months in French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves softens the tannins and adds vanilla, toast and a cedar edge, before further time in bottle rounds the wine out. The colour is deep ruby with a garnet rim. The nose is ripe plum and black cherry over cocoa, tobacco leaf, vanilla and a savoury, leathery note from ageing. The palate is full and structured, with firm but polished tannins, a core of dark fruit and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged Manchego.