Valderiz Sitio de Valdehermoso 2024

Valderiz farms 70 hectares around Roa de Duero in D.O. Ribera del Duero, and Sitio de Valdehermoso is its younger expression of Tinta del Pais, the local name for Tempranillo. The fruit comes from the Valdehermoso estate at 825 metres, one of the higher sites in the appellation. At this altitude the growing season is cool and the diurnal range extreme, with hot days and cold nights that build colour and tannin while holding the bright acidity that marks the wine. The soils are a mix of clay, limestone and sand on the high plateau above the Duero. Fermentation runs in stainless steel tanks of 20,000kg capacity to keep the fruit clean and primary, after which the wine rests nine months in French oak, a short ageing that firms the tannins and adds spice without heavy oak character. The colour is deep cherry-red and luminous. The nose shows ripe cherry and plum, liquorice and a touch of vanilla. The palate is medium to full bodied, fresh and structured, with firm but ripe tannins and an earthy finish. Serve at 16 to 17C, decanted, with grilled beef, lamb or roast pork.