San Cucufate Monasterio 2019

San Cucufate Monasterio is a barrel-aged red made by San Cobate from Tinto Fino, the local name for Tempranillo, in D.O. Ribera del Duero. The fruit comes from vineyards around Gumiel del Mercado in the province of Burgos, and the winery continues a tradition begun by Benedictine monks ten centuries ago, working plot by plot to express each site. Ribera del Duero is a high plateau where vineyards sit at altitude on limestone and clay soils. The large day to night temperature swing of the growing season slows ripening and locks in acidity and colour even as the fruit reaches the 14.5 percent alcohol the region's sun delivers, which gives the wine both power and freshness. It is aged for sixteen months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the firm tannin of Tinto Fino and adds vanilla, sweet spice and tobacco. Malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity. The colour is deep, near opaque ruby. The nose shows dark plum, black cherry and liquorice over oak spice and earth. The palate is full and structured, with ripe firm tannin, savoury depth and a long finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant. It suits roast lamb and grilled beef.