2022 Finca Torremillanos "Montecastrillo" Ribera del Duero

Founded in 1903, the 200-hectare Finca Torremilanos in Aranda de Duero is the second-oldest wine-producing estate in what is now Ribera del Duero DO (after Vega Sicilia). The current regime dates to the late 70's, and was instrumental in the establishment of the DO in 1982. Pilar Pérez Albéniz, one of the most respected women in the region and winner of the inaugural ‘Ribera Heritage’ Award in 2019, is still at the helm, with two of her sons, Ricardo and Vicente, handling winemaking and sales respectively. Montecastrillo is their bread-and-butter red, made from the estate's younger vines, and aged for 3-4 months in French and American oak barrels to soften the tannins of this roughly hewn clone of tempranillo. This hearty red would be enjoyed with BBQ or grilled meats, paella valenciana, or sheeps' milk cheeses, among many other things.