Bodega Cerrón La Calera del Escaramujo 2023

Bodega Cerrón is a small family project at Fuente-Álamo, working to revive a winemaking tradition that dates to 1895 by reclaiming abandoned pre-phylloxera vines in shaded, transitional mountain sites. La Calera del Escaramujo is an organic and biodynamic red from a single 1.67 hectare plot of Monastrell within DO Jumilla in Murcia. Jumilla is hot and dry, but Cerrón's cooler, higher altitude microclimate slows ripening and preserves acidity and aromatic detail in a grape that can otherwise turn jammy. Monastrell is thick skinned and naturally tannic, giving deep colour and dark fruit, while the old, deep-rooted vines yield small, concentrated crops. Ageing for 14 months in 500 litre French oak barrels uses the larger format to soften the firm tannins through measured oxygen exchange while keeping oak flavour discreet and letting the terroir speak. The wine is dense and dark, with a nose of blackberry, plum, black pepper and Mediterranean herbs over an earthy base. The palate is full and structured at 14 percent, with grainy tannin, savoury depth and a long, peppery, liquorice tinged finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting ahead. It suits grilled meats and game.