2021 Ribera del Duero Reserva, Viña Mayor

• Style: Dry, organic and vegan Tempranillo-led Reserva, 14% ABV
• Taste: Blackcurrant, black cherry, leather, tobacco and velvety tannins
• Food: Slow-roast lamb, short ribs, chargrilled steak, aged Manchego
• Critic: 88 points
• Occasion: Midweek suppers, Sunday lunch and winter entertaining
• Serve: Alongside roasts, grills and slow braises at the dinner table

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Looking for a serious Spanish red that still feels lively with dinner? This Reserva fits the bill. Iberia's hero grape, Tempranillo, leads the blend, drawn from old vines high on the Castilian plateau. Up there, hot afternoons tumble into chilly nights. That swing builds dark colour and depth while holding on to freshness. Pour a glass and you see a glossy, deep ruby hue. Blackcurrant and black cherry spring forward first, with leather and tobacco murmuring beneath. A smaller share of Cabernet Sauvignon, planted on gravel, lends structure and a firmer backbone. Plush and textured across the palate, it finishes long and savoury, its tannins smooth as velvet. It carries a critic score of 88 points, a fair nod to a bottle that over-delivers. It is ideal for anyone keen to trade up from everyday reds without paying a premium for the label.

The Winery — Viña Mayor

Founded in 1986, Viña Mayor farms Ribera del Duero's celebrated Golden Mile as a close neighbour of Vega Sicilia. The estate has become a byword for regenerative growing. It was the region's first winery recognised under the Wineries for Climate Protection scheme, and rare native plants and wildlife have returned to its vineyards. Much of the land now holds organic certification, and the cellar runs wholly on renewable power. If that ethos appeals, browse more from Bodegas y Viñedos Viña Mayor. Then there is 2021, a year that rewarded patience. Heavy winter snow refilled thirsty soils. Spring frost and storms trimmed the crop, and September rain demanded painstaking work at the sorting table. The result favours quality over quantity, and smaller harvests like this are worth securing while they are available. After fermenting in temperature-controlled steel, the wine rested in barrels of French and American oak for a year and a half. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, it suits conscientious drinkers who want flavour and provenance in equal measure.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Set it beside slow-roast lamb, braised short ribs, chargrilled steak or a wedge of aged Manchego. Barbecue, hearty stews, venison and a proper roast dinner all find a willing partner here. Mushroom or lentil dishes show its gentler side. On a midweek evening it pairs happily with a simple supper. Come Sunday, it has the weight to anchor a long family lunch. Keep a few bottles to hand for autumn and winter entertaining, when richer cooking calls for a red with this kind of depth. Guests who enjoy classic Castilian flavours will find plenty to talk about. To compare it with its neighbours, visit our Ribera del Duero shelf, where other wines of the region are waiting. The wider Spain collection offers more to discover. For a broader line-up of bottles for the table, explore our full Red Wine range and stock up for the season ahead.