Pruno 2023

Pruno 2023 is made by Finca Villacreces in D.O. Ribera del Duero, from organically grown Tempranillo with smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The estate lies on the so-called Golden Mile near Quintanilla de Onésimo, on gravel and sand soils beside the Duero river. These free-draining alluvial soils limit vine vigour and concentrate the fruit, while the continental climate, with hot days and cold nights, drives a wide diurnal range that ripens the tannin and keeps the acidity fresh. The wine ages for twelve months in French oak, where slow oxygen exchange across the staves softens the tannin and adds a fine frame of spice, vanilla and cocoa, the Cabernet and Merlot rounding the blend and adding structure. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose shows ripe dark fruit of plum and blackberry with red cherry, pepper and sweet spice. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ripe firm tannin, fresh acidity and a long finish of dark fruit and spice. Serve at 16 to 17C, decanting an hour ahead.