Atteca 2022

Atteca is made by Ateca Bodegas, part of the Orowines group, in the town of Ateca near Calatayud in Aragon. The climate here is severely continental, with record cold winters, hot summers and an annual average around 13 degrees, while rainfall stays low at 300 to 550 millimetres. The Garnacha comes from old vine plots planted on slate soils in the higher parts of the region. Those stony, free draining slate soils and the altitude stress the old vines into low yields of small, concentrated berries, while the strong diurnal range fixes colour, acidity and bright fruit aromatics. The wine spends ten months in French oak barrels, enough time for slow oxygen exchange to soften the tannins and fold in spice and a cocoa edge while keeping the ripe Garnacha fruit to the fore. The colour is deep cherry. The nose shows ripe raspberry and plum, black pepper, liquorice and a hint of cocoa. The palate is full bodied and warming at fifteen per cent, with ripe fruit, gentle tannin and a spicy, generous finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled and roast red meat and hearty stews.