Supernova Reserva 2019

Briego was founded in 1988 by the Hernando brothers in Fompedraza, Valladolid, and farms 77 hectares in Ribera del Duero. Supernova Reserva comes from one of the family's best plots, La Nava, and is made from Tempranillo. Ribera del Duero is a high, continental plateau where hot days and cold nights slow ripening and build colour, tannin and aromatic depth while preserving acidity, and the limestone and clay soils restrict vigour to concentrate the fruit. As a Reserva, the wine ages 18 months in a mix of French and American oak. The French oak lends finer cedar and spice while the American oak adds sweeter vanilla and coconut tones, and the slow oxygen exchange during ageing rounds the firm tannins. It pours a deep, saturated red, with aromas of ripe plum and black cherry, vanilla and cocoa over a peppery, smoky base. The palate is full and structured at 14 percent, with dense fruit, fine tannin and a long savoury finish. Decant an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees. It suits roast and grilled red meat.