San Cucufate Bancales del Jalón 2019

San Cucufate Bancales del Jalón comes from the San Cobate estate in the D.O. Ribera del Duero, on land that Benedictine monks first chose for vineyards centuries ago for its soils, sun exposure and microclimate. The wine is made from Tinto Fino, the local Tempranillo, grown on the limestone-rich soils of the appellation. Ribera del Duero sits on a high plateau where cold nights and warm days give a wide temperature swing, keeping the fruit fresh and deeply coloured while building ripe tannin and 14 percent alcohol. The wine is aged for 10 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannins, stabilises the colour and adds spice and a light vanilla note without overwhelming the fruit. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose shows ripe plum, black cherry and red berries with liquorice, a touch of vanilla and an earthy edge. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast and grilled red meats, lamb and aged Castilian cheeses.