50 Barricas by Pruno 2017

Jancis Robinson MW calls Spain’s Ribera del Duero “the red wine miracle of northern Spain”. Hot sun combines with high altitude, making for grapes of ripeness and power, and freshness, too. That’s the perfect combination for fine, complex reds that will age, if you want them to. This fabulous wine comes from the Golden Mile. This steep, well drained stretch above the Duero river is where all the famous names have vines, including Viñedos Alión, Vega Sicilia, and Finca Villacreces, who made this wine – their top wine fetches £100. Using pure Tempranillo (known here as Tinto Fino), aged in barrel, this is a superb, elegant red. Dark fruit combines with spiced clove and vanilla. For drinking now, open early and decant. It will age well too.