Carlos Sánchez 1er Cru Los Montes Bellos del Buradòn 2022

Carlos Sánchez farms on a small scale in Rioja Alavesa, in the Buradón sector around the village edge, where Tempranillo is the lead grape with a little Viura field-blended in. The Rioja Alavesa benches sit on chalky clay-limestone soils over Tertiary bedrock, which hold water through the dry summer and lend the fruit firm acidity and a savoury, mineral edge. The continental climate, with cold nights drawn down off the Sierra de Cantabria, slows ripening and keeps colour and aromatic freshness even at 14 percent alcohol. The wine is farmed organically and biodynamically and spends 14 months in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange through the staves softens the tannins and adds vanilla and a light toast. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose carries red and black cherry, plum and dried herbs over leather, tobacco and cedar from the wood. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fine grippy tannin, bright acidity and an earthy, slightly saline finish typical of the limestone. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, and decant an hour ahead to open the fruit. It suits roast lamb and grilled red meat.