Hacienda Solano Vinas Viejas 2022

Cellar for up to 15 years. Decant for up to an hour before serving. Vinas Viejas is a 100% Tempranillo wine, crafted from 60-year-old vines in the region of La Aguilera, Ribera Del Duero. It is laden with hedgerow aromas of ripe blackberry and raspberry, which are supported by earthy hints of tobacco smoke, leather and charcoal. This is a fantastic representation of one of Spain’s most esteemed appellations, provided by one of the country’s stalwart wineries. Hacienda Solano is a family project, run by three siblings, Estrella, Nuria and Agustín. The winery began life as a grower estate, providing top-quality grapes to other wineries all around the north of Spain. In 2001, the Cubillo family decided to branch out, creating their very first wine from family vineyards. Some of their vines are over a century old, located in the heart of Ribera del Duero - it’s no surprise that Hacienda Solano’s grapes were sought after. This fresh red is cherry-coloured in the glass and intensely fruity on the tongue. Notes of black cherry, blackberry and garrigue swirl around the palate, as drops of balsamic vinegar begin to appear. It has a juicy, approachable profile, with fine-grained tannins and a vivacious acidity. The Tempranillo spent 14 months ageing in a mixture of French oak and cement. Consider pairing it with Iberian ham, hard sheep’s cheese, or a variety of lean red meat dishes.