Viña Mayor Reserva 2020

Vina Mayor Reserva is a red from the D.O. Ribera del Duero in Castilla y Leon, made entirely from Tempranillo, the grape known locally as Tinto Fino. Ribera del Duero runs along a high plateau where vineyards sit on stony, limestone rich soils and the climate is sharply continental. Hot days and cold nights create a wide diurnal range that ripens the thick skinned fruit while holding its acidity, and the resulting wines are deep, structured and built to age. This Reserva spent 15 months in French oak, which softens the tannin and adds cedar, vanilla and sweet spice through slow oxygen exchange with the wood, then further time in bottle to settle. The colour is deep ruby with a dark centre. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum with toasted oak and a little liquorice, while the palate is full bodied and structured, with firm tannin, dark fruit and a long, spiced finish. Decant an hour ahead and serve at 17 degrees in a large glass. It suits roast lamb and grilled beef.