Valduero Dos Maderas 2021

Bodegas Valduero is a family winery at Gumiel del Mercado in the heart of Ribera del Duero, working 200 hectares of Tinto Fino, the local Tempranillo. The grapes for Dos Maderas come from vines around 30 years old planted at 829 metres on the high Castilian plateau. That altitude drives a wide swing between hot days and cold nights, slowing ripening so the fruit holds firm acidity and dark colour while the skins build phenolic depth. After fermentation the wine spends 15 months in oak followed by a further period in bottle, a classic crianza ageing in which slow oxygen exchange through the staves softens the tannins and adds vanilla, clove and toast. The colour is a deep, vivid garnet. The nose leads with ripe black fruit, blackberry and plum, lifted by oak spice, tobacco and a savoury earthiness from the cool elevation. The palate is full and structured, with grainy tannin and a long, slightly liquorice finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, ideally decanted an hour ahead, alongside roast lamb or aged Manchego.