2020 (Hacienda Monasterio)

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for up to 2 hours before serving. This estate red is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. It opens with a generous nose of ripe cherry, raspberry, green herbs, liquorice and minerality. The fruits came from limestone-rich soils within Ribera del Duero, which imparted a certain elegance to the wine. The winery itself can be found in between the towns of Pesquera and Valbuena de Duero. It spans 167 hectares of this esteemed Spanish region. Hacienda Monasterio was founded in the 1990s żeby Peter Sisseck, a Danish wine-maker, who was joined two years later by local wine-maker Carlos de la Fuentes. Together, they have made Hacienda Monasterio one of northern Spain’s Tempranillo powerhouses. This estate blend is a bright ruby red in the glass, and pure and lively on the tongue. Look for notes of raspberry, sour cherry, liquorice and baking spice, all coupled with classic Tempranillo smokiness. It contains silky, fine-grained tannins and a vivacious acidity. Well worth keeping in the cellar for some time. On the lengthy finish, look for hints of minerality and a delightfully smooth texture. Pair this wine with a charcuterie board, smoked cheese, or red meat.