Aseginolaza & Leunda Matsanko 2023

Aseginolaza & Leunda is a project run by Jon and Pedro, biologists by training and winegrowers by choice, working to revive the old vineyards of Tierra Estella in the west of the DO Navarra, around Dicastillo. Matsanko is a field blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo with a little of the white grape Viura, drawn from old vines. The cooler western reaches of Navarra and the old-vine fruit give freshness and red-fruited lift rather than weight; co-fermenting a white grape with reds is a traditional practice that adds aromatic perfume and lightens the colour and texture. Ageing is a short five months in French oak, enough to round the tannins and integrate the parts through gentle oxygen exchange while keeping the fruit fresh and the oak signature light. The colour is bright medium ruby. The nose shows red berries and cherry over white flowers, dried herbs and a stony, earthy note. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, the tannins supple, the finish savoury and gently peppery. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, a light chill suiting its freshness. It suits pork, poultry and mushroom dishes.