Venta Las Vacas 2023

Venta Las Vacas is made by oenologist Juan Carlos Vizcarra in the D.O. Ribera del Duero, from Tinto Fino, the local name for Tempranillo, grown in the village of Mambrilla de Castrejón in Burgos. The vineyards Tras de San Pedro, Las Arras, Valcabero and Los Valles sit at around 850 metres on calcareous and sandy soils. The altitude brings cold nights that preserve acidity and colour, while the limestone soils add freshness and a mineral backbone, and the warm days push the fruit to full ripeness, reflected in the 14.8 percent alcohol. The wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, which adds spice, fine tannin and structure through slow oxygen exchange, and helps stabilise the colour. The wine is deep, almost opaque, in colour. The nose shows ripe blackberry, plum and red berries with liquorice, vanilla and a cocoa edge. The palate is full bodied and concentrated, with firm ripe tannins, fresh acidity and a long warming finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits grilled and roasted red meats, lamb and aged cheeses.