12 Lunas 2022

12 Lunas is a red from D.O. Somontano, made by El Grillo y la Luna, a family project started in Barbastro in 2007. It blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Garnacha and Syrah from five vineyard areas set between 300 and 400 metres on a mix of calcareous, alluvial gravel and loam soils. Somontano sits in the Aragonese foothills of the Pyrenees, where cool mountain air moderates the warm growing season and helps the grapes ripen fully while holding acidity. The varied soils each add their part: calcareous ground brings freshness, gravel drains well and concentrates the fruit, and loam lends body. The four varieties are blended to balance Cabernet structure, Tempranillo and Garnacha red fruit, and the pepper of Syrah. The wine spends nine months in 225 litre French oak barrels, enough to soften the tannins through gentle oxygen exchange and add fine toast and vanilla without masking the fruit. It is deep, bright red, with ripe red and black berries, plum and a herbal, spiced edge over toasted oak. The palate is medium to full bodied, round and fresh, with a lingering finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled meats, roast pork and mushrooms.