Cinco Leguas Rompecepas Garnacha 2022

Bodegas Cinco Leguas works in the Vinos de Madrid region, a project named for the historic five-league rule that once governed wine supply to the capital. Garnacha here grows on the granite and sandy soils of the Sierra de Gredos foothills west of Madrid, where altitude and a wide day-to-night temperature swing slow ripening and hold acidity in fruit that would otherwise turn jammy. The grape is thin skinned and oxidises easily, so gentle handling matters. This 2022 spent eleven months in barrel and clay jars, the porous jars allowing slow oxygen exchange that softens tannin without adding heavy oak, while the wood rounds the texture and adds spice. The colour is deep cherry red. The nose leads with ripe red fruit, strawberry and cherry, threaded with clove and black pepper. The palate is full but lifted by fresh acidity, with red berry fruit, a savoury earthiness and a liquorice note on a warm finish. At 14.5 percent it carries weight while keeping the perfume Gredos Garnacha is known for. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, ideally decanted for half an hour, with roast lamb or grilled pork.