Abeica Bardallo 2022

Bodegas Abeica is a family winery working an old, high-altitude plot in San Vicente de la Sonsierra in the Rioja Alta, one of the cooler, more elevated parts of the appellation. The altitude widens the gap between warm days and cold nights, slowing ripening so the Tempranillo, Garnacha and Viura keep fresh acidity and bright fruit. Bardallo is aged six months across both oak barrel and concrete. The short oak time keeps the wood in check, while concrete is neutral and lets oxygen reach the wine slowly without adding flavour, preserving the primary fruit and giving a rounder mid-palate. This is a young, fruit-forward style rather than a long-aged Reserva. The wine is a bright, lively red. The nose is led by fresh red cherry and strawberry, with red currant and a faint pepper-and-earth note from the Tempranillo. The palate is juicy and medium-bodied at 14 percent, with supple tannin and clean acidity that keep it fresh and drinkable. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, lightly cooled if you prefer. It suits roast pork, poultry and lighter beef dishes.