Bodega Cerrón Los Yesares 2023

Bodega Cerrón is a young project run by the Cerdán family in the Fuente-Álamo area, in the upper, cooler part of D.O. Jumilla, where they work to recover a local winemaking tradition dating to the late nineteenth century. Los Yesares is an organic, varietal Monastrell, the grape that defines this corner of Murcia. Jumilla has a hot, dry continental climate, and the higher-altitude vineyards here gain a useful diurnal range that slows ripening and keeps acidity in a grape that ripens late and deep. The poor, chalky soils, reflected in the name Yesares, limit vigour and concentrate the fruit. The wine ages ten months in used French oak, which settles the firm Monastrell tannins through slow oxygen exchange while staying in the background so the fruit and the place lead. The colour is dense and dark. The nose shows ripe plum and cherry with black pepper, thyme and liquorice over an earthy base. The palate is full and warm, with dark fruit, firm but ripe tannins and a savoury, herbal finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It is well suited to grilled lamb and spiced dishes.