Valderiz 2021

Valderiz is the senior red from the Valderiz estate at Roa de Duero in D.O. Ribera del Duero, a single-variety Tinta del Pais, the regional Tempranillo. The grapes come from trellised vines over 25 years old, farmed organically without weedkillers, synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilisers. The vineyards sit on the high, cool plateau above the Duero, where the wide day-to-night temperature swing builds deep colour and firm tannin while preserving acidity. The wine ages twenty months in French and American oak, a long maturation in which steady oxygen exchange polishes the tannins and layers cocoa, coffee, tobacco and sweet spice over the dark fruit. The colour is deep, dense cherry-red. The nose is intense and complex, with blueberry, black cherry, cocoa and roasted coffee. The palate is full bodied and pleasingly structured, with ripe, fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. This is a wine with the depth to age further in bottle. Serve at 17 to 18C, decanted at least an hour ahead, with roast beef, game or aged hard cheese.