Alto Moncayo Veraton 2022

Alto Moncayo Veraton is a varietal Garnacha from the D.O. Campo de Borja in Aragon, where Garnacha is the dominant grape. The fruit comes from old vines aged between 30 and 50 years, planted high at 500 to 800 metres on the foothills of the Moncayo massif, which rises to over 2,300 metres. The altitude and the wide day to night temperature swing slow the ripening and preserve freshness, while the old vines and low yields concentrate the fruit, giving the wine its depth and its 15.5 per cent alcohol. After fermentation it is aged for sixteen months in French oak, which softens the tannins through slow oxygen exchange and adds vanilla, sweet spice and a fine, toasty frame around the powerful fruit. Malolactic fermentation rounds out the texture. The wine is deep, almost opaque red, with intense ripe cherry, plum and red berry on the nose, lifted by black pepper, liquorice and vanilla. The palate is full bodied, rich and warming, with ripe tannins and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted well ahead, with robust roast and grilled meats.