Bodegas Dominio de Cair, Cair Seleccion de la Aquilera, Ribera del Duero, Spain, 2020

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 Tempranillo vineyards, over 45 years old, are located in the municipality of La Aguilera at elevations exceeding 820 meters. Planted on slopes and terraces with diverse exposures, the vines benefit from optimal sun and wind conditions that contribute to the complexity of the grapes. The surrounding landscape—characterised by low pine and oak forests—not only enhances biodiversity but also creates a unique microclimate that influences the character of the fruit. This natural environment, combined with the age of the vines, results in grapes of exceptional concentration and expression.

Winemaking

Grapes are hand-harvested into 11 kg boxes and undergo a pre-fermentation maceration at 5ºC in a refrigerated chamber to enhance fruit expression. A meticulous double sorting process ensures only the finest grapes are selected. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place in stainless steel tanks, followed by 14 months of aging in second-use French and American oak barrels.

Tasting Note

A gastronomic wine with a deep cherry red colour and violet hues along the rim. The nose is complex and expressive, revealing layers of black fruit, floral tones, balsamic hints, and notes reminiscent of Mediterranean scrubland. It captures the distinct character of high-altitude Ribera, with floral aromas and vibrant acidity. Authentic and multifaceted, this wine is a true expression of its terroir.

Food Matching

The structure and acidity complement roasted lamb, suckling pig, or grilled Iberian pork. The floral and balsamic nuances make it an excellent match for mushroom-based dishes, truffle-infused risottos.