Celler Del Roure Safrà 2024

Safrà comes from Celler del Roure in D.O. Utiel-Requena in Valencia, part of the winery's effort to revive Mandó, a red grape once central to the region's finest wines and now close to extinction, here blended with Arcos. The project looks back to the area's old wines, made in buried clay vessels rather than oak. Utiel-Requena is a high inland plateau where altitude and a continental climate temper the Mediterranean heat, preserving acidity and giving these lighter local varieties their freshness and modest 12.5 percent alcohol. Fermentation and a six month ageing take place in clay amphorae, a porous, neutral vessel that allows a slow, gentle oxygen exchange to soften the wine and build texture while adding no wood flavour, keeping the fruit pure and the wine transparent to its origin. The colour is a bright, alluring ruby. The nose is fragrant, with ripe strawberry and fresh raspberry over a subtle earthy, herbal note. The palate is smooth, delicate and light, with fine tannin and a fresh, savoury finish. Serve at 13 to 15 degrees, lightly chilled. It suits white meats, charcuterie and tomato based dishes.