Casalabor 2024

Casalabor is made by Rafael Cambra in Fontanars dels Alforins, a high inland corner of Valencia near the border of four provinces. Cambra works with minimal intervention and a focus on native grapes, here the dark skinned Arcos from a single plot at 680 metres. The altitude is central to the style. Cool nights preserve acidity and colour while the warm Mediterranean days ripen the fruit fully, giving depth without losing freshness, and the older vines crop modestly for concentration. The wine spends sixteen months in 500 litre French oak barrels. The larger format means a lower ratio of wood surface to wine than a standard 225 litre barrel, so oxygen enters slowly and the oak softens the tannins and adds structure rather than overt toast. It is medium to full bodied, with dark plum and red berry fruit, black pepper, a touch of liquorice and a savoury, mineral finish framed by fine grained tannin. Decant for half an hour and serve at around 17C; it pairs well with roast lamb, grilled beef and mature cheese.