Viña Mayor Crianza 2019

Viña Mayor makes this Crianza from Tempranillo grown in D.O. Ribera del Duero on the high plateau of Castilla y León, where vineyards sit at altitude in a continental climate of hot summers, cold winters and very cool nights. That wide diurnal swing is what gives Ribera Tempranillo its deep colour, ripe dark fruit and firm structure. The grapes are hand-picked and carried in 300 kilo crates to avoid crushing, then carefully de-stemmed. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel at controlled temperature with regular pumping over to extract colour and tannin, followed by post-fermentation maceration on the skins. The wine is then aged twelve months in oak, meeting the Crianza standard, where the barrel adds vanilla and sweet spice and rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange. Expect a deep, dark colour and a nose of ripe plum and blackberry with sweet spice, vanilla and a hint of toast. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with concentrated dark fruit, firm but ripe tannin and a long, warm finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted for an hour when young. Good with roast and grilled red meats and mature cheese.