Tinto Figuero Viñas Viejas 2021

Bodegas Figuero farms in D.O. Ribera del Duero near La Horra, on the high Castilian plateau, and Vinas Viejas draws on Tempranillo vines more than fifty years old across several estate plots planted between 400 and 800 metres. The altitude is central to the wine. Hot days and cold nights create a wide diurnal range that keeps acidity firm and skins thick, while the old vines and low yields concentrate the fruit. Picking is done by hand into small twelve-kilo baskets and the fruit is moved quickly to the cellar to keep the bunches intact. The wine is raised for fifteen months in French oak, where controlled oxygen exchange softens the tannin and adds vanilla, cedar and a hint of toast, and malolactic fermentation rounds the natural acidity. The colour is deep ruby with a violet rim. The nose offers dark plum and black cherry, vanilla, sweet tobacco and liquorice. The palate is full bodied with firm, ripe tannin and a long, savoury finish. Decant an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees. It suits grilled and roast red meat.