2022 Torres Seleccion Celeste Ribera de Duero, Castilla y Leon

Familia Torres may be rooted in Catalunya, but Celeste takes them high onto the dramatic plateau of Ribera del Duero, where Tempranillo thrives under brilliant sunshine and fiercely cool nights. The name Celeste — “celestial” — references the extraordinary night skies above these elevated vineyards. Here, altitude and an extreme continental climate give the variety both concentration and freshness, producing a distinctly modern expression of one of Spain’s great red wine regions.

The 2022 vintage delivered ripe, deeply flavoured fruit, while Ribera del Duero’s elevation helped preserve freshness and aromatic lift. Warm days build dark fruit and richness, with cold nights maintaining acidity and structure. Thoughtful oak maturation rounds the wine without overwhelming its fruit, giving Celeste plenty of generosity while retaining the savoury character that makes Tempranillo such a natural at the dinner table.

Deep cherry red with purple edges, the nose opens with blackberry, ripe plum and black cherry before revealing liquorice, violet and sweet tobacco. With air come notes of cocoa, cedar, dried herbs and a touch of smoky spice. The palate is generous and velvety, with juicy dark fruit framed by polished tannins and lively acidity. Black cherry and plum roll into liquorice, mocha and savoury spice before a long, warming finish.

This calls for proper Spanish comfort food: slow-roasted lamb shoulder with garlic and rosemary, smoky chorizo, beef cheeks braised in red wine, chargrilled rib eye or patatas bravas with plenty of paprika. For an easy Sunday afternoon, put out Manchego, jamón Ibérico, roasted almonds and crusty bread — then try not to finish the bottle.