Vinas Del Jaro ‘Jaros’ Tempranillo 2022

Vinas del Jaro makes Jaros in El Quinon, a hamlet within Pesquera del Duero a kilometre from the Duero river and named for the old oak forest that surrounds the winery. The vineyards sit on the limestone and clay terraces of Ribera del Duero, where altitude and a sharp diurnal swing slow the ripening of Tempranillo, building dark fruit and tannin by day and holding acidity through the cold nights. Before fermentation the must is macerated on the skins for 14 days, drawing out colour, tannin and phenolic depth, then fermented for 11 days at a controlled 26 degrees to retain fruit. Ageing runs to 17 months in new and one-year-old French oak barrels of 300 litres, where the larger format and slow oxygen exchange round the tannins and add cedar, cocoa and vanilla. It shows a deep ruby with a nose of ripe plum, black cherry and liquorice over sweet spice and a cocoa edge. The palate is full and firm, the extended maceration giving real grip, the fruit carried long on fresh acidity. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. Best with roast and grilled red meats.