Supernova Roble 2023

Supernova Roble is the barrel-aged Tempranillo of Briego, a family winery the Hernando brothers founded in 1988 at Fompedraza in the Valladolid stretch of Ribera del Duero. The fruit comes from thirty-year-old vines planted in sandy soil studded with siliceous stone. Ribera sits high on the Castilian plateau, where strong day-to-night temperature swings slow ripening and lock in colour, acidity and tannin, the backbone of the region's reds. The older vines crop modestly and give concentrated fruit. After fermentation the wine spends eight months in French and American oak. Roble, or oak-aged, sits below crianza, so the barrel time builds structure and adds spice and sweet vanilla while keeping the fruit fresh and primary. American oak leans toward vanilla and coconut, French toward finer spice, and the slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins. The wine is deep cherry red with ruby tones. The nose shows ripe plum and black cherry over vanilla, cocoa and liquorice. The palate is full and structured, with firm tannins, a peppery lift and a long oaky finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It suits grilled and roast red meats.