Protos 9 Meses Ecológico 2024

Protos is the founding winery of D.O. Ribera del Duero, established in Peñafiel in 1927, and this organic red comes from Tinta del Pais, the local name for Tempranillo. The vineyards sit on the high Castilian plateau, where calcareous clay subsoils hold water through a dry growing season and the wide gap between hot days and cold nights slows ripening. That diurnal swing preserves acidity and fixes colour and aromatic compounds in the skins, giving the fruit its depth without loss of freshness. After fermentation the wine spends nine months in French oak, a measured period that softens the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds vanilla and sweet spice while leaving the fruit in the lead. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose shows fresh cherry and ripe blackberry with clove and a savoury edge. The palate is juicy and medium bodied, with fine grained tannins and a clean, peppery finish that reflects the cool nights and the young oak. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanting briefly if young. It suits roast lamb, grilled beef and aged Manchego.