PradoRey Finca Valdelayegua 2022

PradoRey Finca Valdelayegua is a Crianza from D.O. Ribera del Duero, made from a selected harvest off the estate's large Finca Valdelayegua vineyard. The wine is built on Tinto Fino, the local clone of Tempranillo, supported by Merlot. The fruit is drawn from several distinct viticultural areas within Ribera del Duero, including Quintana del Pidio, Pedrosa del Duero, Anguix and Pinel de Abajo, and the estate is divided into plots according to clone, altitude, soil type and orientation. Ribera del Duero sits high on the northern Castilian plateau, where the altitude brings cold nights and a wide day-to-night range that builds deep colour and firm structure while holding acidity. The poor limestone and clay soils restrict vigour and concentrate the fruit. The wine is aged twelve months in American oak barrels followed by twelve months in bottle, the Crianza ageing that rounds the tannin and adds vanilla and sweet spice. The colour is a deep cherry red. The nose shows ripe blackberry, plum and red cherry with vanilla, dark chocolate and a light toast. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm tannin and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant ahead. It suits grilled beef and roast lamb.