Torre Albéniz Reserva 2020

Torre Albéniz Reserva is made by Torremilanos, a Ribera del Duero estate founded in 1903 and run by the Peñalba López family since 1975, from organically certified vineyards in the municipality of Aranda de Duero. The high Castilian plateau here sits at altitude, where intense sunshine ripens Tempranillo fully while cold nights preserve acidity and colour, and the limestone and clay soils drain well and lend structure. This single-variety Tempranillo is aged for 24 months in French oak, the long Reserva élevage softening the firm tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adding vanilla, cedar and a toasted spice that frame the dark fruit. The colour is deep ruby with a maturing rim. The nose shows ripe plum and black cherry over vanilla, tobacco, cocoa and a leather note from the time in wood. The palate is full bodied and structured, the tannins firm and well integrated, the acidity holding the ripe fruit through a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour or two ahead. It is built for roasted and grilled red meats.