Artífice Listán Tinto 2022

Artífice is the more accessible label of Borja Pérez, a winemaker in the north of Tenerife who also runs the Ignios project. This red is made from the island's native grapes, led by Listán Negro with Baboso Negro and Vijariego Negro. The vineyards grow on soils of volcanic ash and rock under a clear Atlantic influence, where the porous volcanic ground, cool ocean air and altitude give light-bodied, high-acid wines with a distinctive smoky, mineral character. Ageing for twelve months in French oak rounds the texture through gentle oxygen exchange while keeping the fresh red fruit and volcanic edge to the fore. The colour is bright, light ruby. The nose shows red cherry and raspberry with a smoky, flinty note, black pepper and wild herbs. The palate is light to medium bodied, with fine tannin, lively acidity and a savoury, mineral finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, and lightly chilled in warm weather. It suits grilled pork, poultry and oily fish.