Viña Pedrosa La Navilla 2020

Viña Pedrosa La Navilla is a red from D.O. Ribera del Duero, made by Hermanos Pérez Pascuas from Tinto Fino, the local strain of Tempranillo. The vineyards sit at a high altitude of around 844 metres above sea level, where the large gap between warm days and cold nights is the defining feature of the site. That diurnal range slows the final ripening, locking in firm acidity and deep colour while the thick-skinned grapes accumulate ripe tannin and dark fruit. The continental climate and poor soils give low yields of concentrated fruit. After fermentation the wine is aged for twenty months in French Allier oak barrels, a fine-grained oak whose slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannins and adds spice, cedar and vanilla. It is deep, dark ruby. The nose shows dark plum, black cherry and blackberry with pepper, liquorice and an earthy, mineral undertone framed by toasty oak. The palate is full-bodied and structured, combining power with freshness, with firm but ripe tannins, bright acidity and a long, spiced finish that rewards a few years in bottle. Serve at 17 degrees, decanting a young bottle. It calls for roast and grilled red meat.