Bodegas Dominio de Cair, Cair Cuvée, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2022

Product code: 6498
Bodegas Dominio de Cair, Cair Cuvée, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2022

Producer Profile

Dominio de Cair is one of Ribera del Duero’s most exciting modern wineries—founded in 2008 by Juan Luis Cañas, the renowned owner of Rioja Alavesa producer Bodegas Luis Cañas.

This is a project built on heritage vines, high-altitude terroir, and precision winemaking, aimed at expressing the full potential of Ribera Tempranillo. Situated in La Aguilera, one of the region’s most sought-after subzones, Cair works with vineyards reaching up to 100 years old, planted at 800–950 meters above sea level. These extreme conditions deliver naturally low yields, vibrant freshness, and outstanding complexity—hallmarks of the Cair style. The winemaking philosophy is a balance of modern elegance and old-world structure: manual harvest, double berry selection, and aging in new French and American oak deliver purity, depth, and polish across the range. Critically, Cair isn’t just about power—it’s about finesse. Their wines consistently receive praise from top critics including Tim Atkin MW, who recognized Dominio de Cair as a Second Growth estate in his 2023 Ribera del Duero classification. From the accessible, juicy Cair Cuvée, to the ultra-premium Pendón de La Aguilera, this is a portfolio that is exceptional at every level.

Viticulture

These vineyards, boasting an average age of 25 years, are carefully cultivated across two distinct locations: the charming town of La Aguilera, situated at altitudes between 820 and 850 meters, and Moradillo de Roa, perched higher at 960 meters above sea level. The elevation and unique microclimates of these sites provide ideal conditions for slow, balanced grape ripening, enhancing the concentration and complexity of the fruit. Together, these vineyards offer a diverse expression of terroir that reflects the rich viticultural heritage of the region.

Winemaking

The grapes are carefully hand-harvested into 11 kg boxes to preserve their integrity and freshness. Upon arrival at the winery, they undergo a rigorous selection process on a double sorting table to ensure only the highest quality fruit is used. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, allowing for precise management of aromas and flavours. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 10 months in carefully chosen used oak barrels, where it develops additional complexity and subtle oak nuances while maintaining its vibrant fruit character.

Tasting Note

Vibrant, fresh, and incredibly approachable, Cair Cuvée is a modern expression of Ribera del Duero. This youthful red blends fruit from carefully selected high-altitude vineyards, bringing together intensity and elegance in perfect balance. Bursting with aromas of ripe red berries, cherries, and hints of vanilla and spice, the palate is juicy and silky, with soft tannins and a touch of oak to add depth. It’s an ideal introduction to the style of Bodegas Cair—dynamic, expressive, and full of character.

Food Matching

This will pair beautifully with mild to medium cheeses like Brie or Camembert, as well as dishes featuring mushrooms, soft herbs, and light spices.

Technical Details
Varieties:
Tempranillo 80%
Merlot 20%

Oak Ageing:

Time: 10 Months
Type: French Oak Barrels
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

Features:

Vegetarian
Producer works organically

ABV:
15%

Closure:
Natural cork

Colour:
Red

Style:
Still wine

Case Size:
6 x 75cl