Valduero Una Cepa 2020

Valduero Una Cepa is a barrel aged red from Valduero, one of the founding wineries of D.O. Ribera del Duero, based in Gumiel de Mercado in Burgos and run as a family venture since 1984. It is made from Tinto Fino, the local name for Tempranillo. Ribera del Duero occupies a high Castilian plateau where vineyards sit above 800 metres and the wide swing between hot days and cold nights preserves acidity and aromatic detail, while poor limestone and sandy soils hold back yields and concentrate the fruit. After fermentation the wine ages 18 months in French and American oak barrels, the long élevage and slow oxygen exchange softening the firm Tinto Fino tannin while the two woods add spice, vanilla and a savoury frame, followed by a further 12 months in bottle to integrate before release. The colour is deep. The nose unfolds slowly, with red and dark fruit, spice, tobacco and a leathery, oak derived complexity. The palate is full bodied and structured, the tannin firm but resolved, the finish long and savoury. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast and grilled red meat.