Barbazul Selección Especial 2020

Huerta de Albalá sits at Arcos de la Frontera in Cádiz, in southern Andalusia, a region marked by long hours of sunshine. Vicente Taberner founded the estate in 2000 to show what Cádiz reds could do, and was an early grower of native red grapes here. This wine blends Syrah with the local Tintilla de Rota and Cabernet Sauvignon. The abundant heat and light ripen the fruit fully, which explains the deep colour, the concentration and the 14.5 percent alcohol, while the coastal setting keeps aromatics in the frame. Ageing is six months in French Allier oak, a shorter cellar stay that keeps the fruit fresh and adds vanilla and a fine grained tannin without heavy wood. The colour is dense purple. The nose is ripe and intense, with black plum, cherry, cracked pepper, liquorice and dried Mediterranean herbs over a light cocoa and vanilla frame. The palate is full and warming, with ripe tannins and a savoury, peppery finish. Serve at 17 degrees, decanting an hour ahead. It stands up to grilled red meat and slow-cooked lamb.