Valtravieso Finca Santa María 2024

Valtravieso Finca Santa Maria is produced near Pinel de Arriba in D.O. Ribera del Duero, founded in 1985. It is built mainly on Tinta Fina, the local Tempranillo, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot adding structure and dark fruit. The grapes come from vineyards at 915 metres on shallow, stony and very chalky soils. This is high-altitude viticulture: cool nights and a long day-to-night temperature swing slow ripening and lock in acidity and aromatic lift, while the chalk drains freely and stresses the vines for greater concentration. The varieties are fermented separately in stainless steel, which keeps the fruit clean and bright, then the wine spends six months in used French oak barrels. Older barrels add little new oak flavour, instead allowing slow micro-oxygenation to round the tannin while the fruit stays in front. It is vibrant ruby with purple reflections. The nose is ripe plum, red berry and a savoury, earthy edge with light spice. The palate is fresh and medium to full, the tannin firm but supple, finishing clean. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled meat and mushrooms.