Valduero 12 años Gran Reserva 2009

Valduero 12 años Gran Reserva is a long-aged red from D.O. Ribera del Duero, made from Tempranillo by Valduero, a pioneering family winery in Gumiel del Mercado near Burgos run by Gregorio García and his daughters Yolanda and Carolina. The estate works its own low-yielding, high-quality vines and is built around extended ageing in the cellar. Ribera del Duero's high continental climate, with hot days and cold nights, gives Tempranillo deep colour, firm structure and the acidity needed to age well over many years. As a Gran Reserva from the 2009 vintage, the wine spends long periods in oak barrel and then in bottle, where slow, steady oxygen exchange softens the once-firm tannins and turns primary fruit into developed, tertiary character. It is deep ruby with a garnet rim, the nose led by dried plum and prune alongside leather, tobacco, sweet spice and an earthy, savoury depth. The palate is full but mellowed, the tannins resolved and fine, with a long, complex finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb, game and mature hard cheeses.