Alto Moncayo Aquilón 2018

Aquilón is a red from D.O. Campo de Borja in Aragón, made by Alto Moncayo from pure Garnacha. The fruit comes from 30 hectares of old vines, aged between 60 and 100 years, planted on the slopes of the Moncayo Massif on stony soils that are poor in organic matter. These conditions keep yields very low, which concentrates the small crop and gives intensely flavoured, ripe grapes. Old Garnacha on warm, dry ground ripens fully and reaches high sugar levels, here translating into a powerful wine of 16 percent alcohol. Time in oak barrel rounds the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and frames the fruit with toast, spice and a fine cocoa note. The wine is deep, near opaque purple, with intense ripe black fruit, blackberry and plum, lifted by spice, liquorice and a touch of smoke. The palate is full bodied and rich, dense and warming, with ripe tannins and a long, concentrated finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant well ahead to let the wine open. It suits robust roast and braised meats, game and strong cheeses.